When Vice President JD Vance sat down for a Fox News interview with Lara Trump on September 8, 2025, he didn’t hold back about what it’s really like working alongside President Donald Trump. The conversation, which unfolded between the president’s daughter-in-law and the nation’s second-in-command, quickly turned to the surprises Vance has encountered since assuming his role. And, as it turns out, the biggest shocker isn’t a policy debate or a political maneuver—it’s Trump’s relentless energy and his round-the-clock approach to running the country.
“Oh, there’s so many surprising things,” Vance admitted when asked about the most unexpected part of his vice presidency, as reported by Fox News. But one trait, he said, eclipses the rest: Trump’s apparent inability to power down. “One thing I’ve learned just working with him every day is, he doesn’t have an off switch,” Vance explained. “He’ll call you at 12:30 or at 2 in the morning and then he’ll call you at 6 in the morning about a totally different topic.”
For Vance, these nocturnal phone calls have become a defining feature of his partnership with the president. “It’s like, ‘Mr. President, did you go to sleep last night? Like, what is going on here?’” he recounted, capturing both his bemusement and the exhausting pace set by the White House’s top occupant. According to Fox News, this pattern of behavior is far from new—and Vance isn’t the only official to have experienced it firsthand.
Other members of Trump’s inner circle have echoed similar stories, painting a picture of a president whose workday rarely ends before sunrise. Reports indicate that Trump regularly sleeps less than five hours per night, a claim that has been corroborated by several associates over the years. In July 2025, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick revealed that Trump often rings him around 1 a.m., just after Lutnick has gotten into bed. “He calls most nights,” Lutnick shared, adding another layer to the portrait of a leader who seems to treat the clock as little more than a suggestion.
This habit of late-night dialing isn’t a recent development. In fact, it’s been a hallmark of Trump’s management style for years. Back in 2018, details emerged about his frequent, sometimes lengthy, chats with Fox News host Sean Hannity that often stretched deep into the night. Those conversations, which reportedly ranged from political gossip to policy brainstorming, set a precedent for the all-hours communications that have become routine in Trump’s administration.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. added his own perspective to the mix in August 2025. According to Kennedy, Trump calls him “three or four times a week” to discuss health policy, though he didn’t specify the times of these calls. The implication, however, was clear: if the president has a question or an idea—whether it’s about pandemic response, insurance reform, or the latest medical breakthrough—he’s not waiting for daylight to reach out.
So what drives this tireless approach? For some, it’s a sign of Trump’s legendary work ethic and his commitment to staying on top of every issue, no matter the hour. Supporters argue that this constant contact ensures the administration remains agile, responsive, and ahead of the curve. “He’s always thinking, always moving,” one longtime aide told Fox News. “You never know when the next call is coming, but you know you better be ready.”
Yet for others, the president’s non-stop style raises questions about boundaries, balance, and the toll such a pace might take—not just on Trump himself, but on those around him. “It’s not just about the phone calls,” a former official confided. “It’s about the expectation that you’re always on, always available. That can wear people down.”
This dynamic has become a talking point in political circles, with some critics suggesting that the president’s relentless outreach borders on micromanagement. Others see it as a reflection of his hands-on leadership and deep involvement in the minutiae of governance. The reality, as is often the case in Washington, likely lands somewhere in between.
Interestingly, Trump’s penchant for late-night communication isn’t unique among world leaders. History is dotted with tales of presidents, prime ministers, and monarchs who burned the midnight oil. Winston Churchill famously kept odd hours, dictating memos from his bed well past midnight. President Barack Obama was known to read briefing books and respond to emails deep into the night. But Trump’s approach, marked by direct phone calls at unpredictable hours, is distinctive in both its frequency and its personal touch.
For Vice President Vance, adapting to this rhythm has required a mix of flexibility, stamina, and a healthy sense of humor. “You start to get used to it,” he joked during the Fox News interview. “But there are still moments when you have to ask yourself if this is really happening.” His candor offered a rare, unscripted glimpse into the realities of White House life—and the challenges of keeping up with a leader who, as Vance put it, simply doesn’t have an off switch.
The stories from Lutnick, Kennedy, and others reinforce the sense that Trump’s leadership style is as much about personal connection as it is about policy substance. Whether he’s calling to brainstorm, to check in, or just to share a thought, the president’s willingness to reach out at any hour underscores his belief in constant engagement. For some, this is invigorating; for others, it’s exhausting. But for all involved, it’s become an inescapable fact of life in the Trump administration.
As the 2025 political season heats up and the demands on the White House only intensify, the question lingers: can this pace be sustained? For now, at least, Trump’s inner circle seems resigned to the reality of midnight calls and early-morning texts. And if Vice President Vance’s experience is any guide, they’re learning to expect the unexpected—no matter what time the phone rings.
In the end, the stories of late-night calls and sleepless nights offer more than just a peek behind the curtain; they reveal a leadership style defined by urgency, directness, and a refusal to rest while there’s work to be done. For better or worse, it’s a rhythm that shows no sign of slowing down.
