U.S. President Donald Trump gestures at the end of an event during a visit to Coosa Steel Corporation, in Rome, Georgia.
President Donald Trump has displayed a lot of obsessions, from comparing himself to his predecessors and renaming the Kennedy Center after himself to renovating the White House in accordance with his personal tastes. Now a new report reveals that the Republican leader has another fixation — namely, insisting that he is working harder than everyone around him.
"The president also frequently complains about how hard he is working, privately and publicly," reported The New York Times' White House correspondent Katie Rogers on Wednesday.In a larger article about Republicans' frustrations and fears approaching the 2026 midterm elections, Rogers focused on how Trump personally believes he can singlehandedly retain control of Congress for his party because of his supposed ability to inspire the base to turn out during elections. As part of this mindset, however, Trump says that he has to campaign vigorously and everywhere, and then complains that his fellow Republicans are not doing their part.
"“I’m working my a-- off,” Mr. Trump said in Tennessee earlier this month," Rogers reported. "“You better get out there and vote.”"
Rogers added, "A person close to the White House political operation who was granted anonymity to describe the strategy said that Mr. Trump’s advisers were aware of the concerns that his presence in critical states could hurt G.O.P. candidates. But they have largely discounted them, believing, as Mr. Trump does, that he should be the centerpiece of this election cycle, the person added. Multiple advisers say the strategy is simple: Focus on red states and juice turnout."
Rogers continued, "“The president does have a way of defying history,” Karoline Leavitt, his former press secretary, said during an appearance on the Bill Maher Show last weekend. “He’s working really hard out on the road to turn Republicans out to vote.”"
Rogers continued, "While speaking to allies in recent days, Mr. Trump has talked up the sizes of the crowds at his rallies, and has noted that Vice President JD Vance, the presumptive Republican front-runner in 2028, has not drawn large numbers to events that he is headlining. Mr. Vance’s office did not respond to a request for comment, but the White House came to the vice president’s defense."
Trump's press team responded to Rogers regarding reports on Trump touting his own supposed work ethic.
“Donald Trump is the hardest working person in the country, followed by JD Vance," the White House told Rogers. "Both men are raising money, crisscrossing the country and making sure that candidates are successful these midterms.”