‘I Should Be Entitled to It’: Trump Jokes He Should Get ‘Millions of Dollars’ in Public Gifts

President Donald Trump claimed he “should be entitled” to “millions of dollars” in public gifts while signing an executive order Monday to create a commission in support of military spouses, as the commission’s executive director, standing behind him, shook her head “no.”

The executive order establishes the President’s Military Spouse Commission, a new advisory panel chaired by Jennifer Rauchet, the wife of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to improve support for military spouses and families. Desiree Thompson Sayle, an aide to the president during his first administration, will serve as executive director.

“We have Desiree, who’s been with us for a long time,” explained Trump in the Oval Office on Monday. “She basically responds to the public when the public — they send things. Sometimes they send gifts. Actually, it amounts to millions of dollars in small money, and I said, ‘Well, what happens to that money?’ They send it back, or they do charitable work. It’s literally millions. They send it to me. I should be able to get it.”

The crowd behind the president — including Hegseth, Rauchet, Sayle, and other supporters of the commission — laughed as Trump continued, throwing his hands up in exasperation, “She won’t give it to me. I should be entitled to it.” Sayle shook her head to the side, mouthing “no.” Trump also made clear he was joking with a “no” of his own.

The president went on to ask, “How do I compare, in terms of response, with other presidents?”

Sayle shook her head to the side once more, adding, “No comparison, sir.”

“Is that good or bad?” wondered Trump to more laughter from those behind him.

“No, it’s good,” said Sayle. “Actually. It’s very good.”

“We do okay? A little more than Sleepy Joe [Biden]?”

“A hundred percent positive,” confirmed Sayle. “Yes.”

Watch the full clip above on YouTube.

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