President Donald Trump has revealed that sleeping is not part of his routine when flying, even on long-haul trips aboard Air Force One. Speaking at a recent public event, Trump shared how he prefers to spend his time in the air instead.
Donald Trump shares what he does on planes
During a speech at the National Breakfast Prayer on February 5, Donald Trump told the audience that he avoids sleeping during flights, no matter how long the journey lasts. He said this includes overseas trips that can stretch up to 20 hours on Air Force One. “I don’t sleep on planes. I don’t like sleeping on planes.”
Rather than resting, the president said he stays alert throughout the flight. “I like looking out the window for missiles and enemies, actually,” he added, drawing laughter from the crowd. Trump’s comments align with his long-standing claims about getting by on minimal sleep. During his 2016 presidential campaign, he spoke openly about his habits, once saying, “You know, I’m not a big sleeper, I like three hours, four hours, I toss, I turn, I beep-de-beep, I want to find out what’s going on,” as reported by HuffPost.
Accounts from former and current officials suggest Donald Trump’s in-flight routine has been consistent for years. In 2019, a White House official shared with CNN that traveling with the president is “like being held captive,” explaining that Trump often prefers conversation to downtime.
According to the official, instead of sleeping, Trump will “hold court for hours on end” and engage staffers in wide-ranging discussions, including non-government topics like sports. That energy has shaped how others travel with him. Marco Rubio, Trump’s secretary of state, recently admitted he has learned how to sneak in rest during long flights.
Donald Trump’s comments reinforce a long-running pattern around his travel habits, particularly on Air Force One, where he has repeatedly said he prefers staying awake over sleeping.
