Trump's Unusual Sleep Patterns: Napping Twice Daily

Former US President Donald Trump is rumoured to sleep only four to five hours a night, waking up at 5 or 6 am and working until midnight or 1 am. Trump himself has claimed that he doesn't find it necessary to get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep, and has said that people who sleep [are] lazy.

Trump's sleep schedule has been a topic of interest for many, with some even attempting to replicate it. But does he sleep twice a day?

Trump's workdays start at 11 am

Donald Trump's workday typically starts at 11 a.m. after waking up at around 5:30 a.m. or 6 a.m. and spending the first few hours of his day devoted to "executive time". This includes watching cable news, making phone calls, checking in with members of Congress, friends, administration officials, and informal advisors, and tweeting.

Trump's preference for a later start at the office is in contrast to his early rising time, with sources suggesting he gets around four to five hours of sleep per night. This is backed up by his book "Think Like a Billionaire", in which he wrote: "I usually sleep about four hours per night".

Trump's sleep pattern has been described as that of a "short sleeper", a term for people who can function with much less sleep than the average person, requiring only four to six hours of sleep per night. This is a trait he shares with other famous and successful people, including former U.S. president Barack Obama, and business leaders such as Marissa Mayer, Jack Dorsey, and Indra Nooyi.

Trump's daily routine, with his late start to the workday, is in stark contrast to other business leaders such as Apple CEO Tim Cook, who starts his day at 4 a.m. and enjoys up to seven hours of sleep, and Richard Branson, who also starts his mornings at 5 a.m.

Trump's late start to the workday and reduced sleep are not without consequences. Research suggests that his sleep has become noticeably shorter over his first term, and this has been linked to compromised performance from sleep deprivation. This includes a decrease in the quality of his tweets, with fewer likes, retweets, and replies, and an increase in the likelihood of his tweets being classified as "angry" rather than "happy".

He gets 4-5 hours of sleep

It is widely reported that Donald Trump sleeps for only four to five hours a night. He has maintained this sleep schedule for years, both as a businessman and as president. In his 2004 book, *Think Like a Billionaire*, Trump wrote:

> "I usually sleep about four hours per night."

Trump's physician, Navy doctor Ronny Jackson, confirmed this, telling reporters:

> "I would say he sleeps four to five hours a night... He's probably been like that his whole life. He's just one of those people who just does not require a lot of sleep."

Trump typically wakes up before 6 a.m. and works until midnight or 1 a.m., leaving him with only a few hours of sleep. This sleep pattern puts him in the category of a "short sleeper", a term used to describe the small percentage of the population (one to three per cent) who can function with much less sleep than the average person.

Trump's sleep schedule is believed to be a result of his work habits and his desire to get everything done. He reportedly spends the first five hours of his day on "executive time", which includes watching or reading the news, making calls, checking in with members of Congress, friends, administration officials and informal advisers, and tweeting.

Trump's limited sleep may have consequences for his performance. Research suggests that sleep deprivation can impair cognitive performance and increase negative emotions. In fact, one study found that the President's Twitter followers interact less with his posts on days following a late night, and he is more likely to express anger in his interviews and speeches.

He's an early riser

Donald Trump is an early riser, waking up at 5:30 or 6:00 a.m. after sleeping for just four to five hours. He typically goes to bed after midnight or 1:00 a.m. and is up and at 'em in the early morning.

Trump's physician, Navy doctor Ronny Jackson, confirmed that Trump sleeps very little, saying:

> "I would say he sleeps four to five hours a night...He's probably been like that his whole life. He's just one of those people who does not require a lot of sleep."

Trump himself wrote in his 2004 book, *Think Like a Billionaire*, that he usually sleeps about four hours per night.

Trump's daily schedule, obtained by Axios, reveals that he devotes the first five hours of his mornings to "executive time". This includes watching cable news, making phone calls, checking in with members of Congress, friends, administration officials and informal advisers, and tweeting.

Trump's tweets often come in the early morning, with about half of his tweets over a four-month period from November 2018 to February 2019 sent before 11 a.m.

Trump's early starts are not a new phenomenon. He has maintained this schedule for years, not just as president but during his time as a businessman, too.

He's a 'short sleeper'

Donald Trump is a self-proclaimed "short sleeper", claiming to sleep only four hours a night. He typically wakes up before 6 a.m. and works until midnight or 1 a.m., maintaining this schedule even before his presidency. This puts him in the category of "sleepless elite", a group that makes up about 1% of the population and can function with a fraction of the sleep that most people need.

Trump's sleep schedule has been a topic of interest and speculation, with some attributing his lack of sleep to the "Thatcher Gene", a gene that allows people to thrive on minimal sleep. However, researchers have also noted the negative effects of sleep deprivation, which may include impaired performance and cognitive function.

Trump's daily routine starts with "executive time", which includes watching cable news, making phone calls, and tweeting. He then has an intelligence briefing or meets with his chief of staff. Lunch is usually around 12:45 p.m., followed by meetings, media engagements, and speech preparations. Despite his busy schedule, Trump doesn't prioritize exercise, stating that he gets enough movement throughout the day.

Trump's sleep habits have drawn attention, with some even attempting to replicate his routine. However, it's important to note that everyone's sleep needs are unique, and adequate sleep is crucial for overall health and well-being.

Trump's sleep has decreased over time

Donald Trump's sleep schedule has been a topic of interest for many, with the former president reportedly getting by with just four to five hours of sleep each night. This sleep duration is significantly less than the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep for adults. Trump's sleep habits have been a topic of speculation, with some attributing his lack of sleep to his membership in the "sleepless elite," a group of people who can function with minimal sleep. However, there is evidence to suggest that Trump's sleep has decreased even further over time.

Trump's sleep schedule has been a topic of discussion during his time in office, with reports indicating that he typically wakes up before 6 a.m. and works until midnight or 1 a.m., resulting in four to five hours of sleep. This sleep pattern has been consistent throughout his presidency and his time as a businessman. However, there are indications that his sleep may have decreased even further in recent years.

One study analysed Trump's Twitter activity as a proxy for his sleep duration and found that the frequency of his late-night tweets increased significantly from 2017 to 2020. The study suggests that Trump's sleep has progressively shortened during his first term, with a noticeable decrease in 2020. This decrease in sleep duration is also reflected in the quality of his tweets, with fewer likes, retweets, and replies on days following late-night tweeting.

The decrease in sleep duration has also been observed in Trump's speech and interview transcripts. The study found that the proportion of happy transcripts decreased by 4.4 percentage points after a late-night tweeting session, while the proportion of angry transcripts increased by 2.9 percentage points. This indicates that Trump's sleep deprivation may be impacting his public communication and performance.

Trump's sleep habits have been a topic of concern, with some speculating that his lack of sleep could impact his decision-making and performance as president. While he may be part of the "sleepless elite," even short sleepers can experience negative consequences from sleep deprivation. The decrease in Trump's sleep duration over time further emphasises the importance of adequate sleep for optimal physical and mental functioning.

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