Another five of the people who spoke with President Trump that night were employees or outside advisors who counseled him on communications issues. These calls, by contrast, predominantly took place after the joint session resumed.[320] He spoke with his communications director, Scavino, twice: for 7 minutes at 7:08 p.m. and for 15 minutes at 9:55 p.m.[321] He spoke with McEnany for 11 minutes at 9:42 p.m.[322] He took calls from Steve Bannon, for 7 minutes at 10:19 p.m., and Sean Hannity, for 8 minutes at 11:08 p.m.[323]
At 9:23 p.m., President Trump spoke with Jason Miller, his Campaign Communications Director, for 18 minutes.[324]
Of his own initiative, Miller had drafted a statement for the President assuring the nation that the transfer of power—despite the day's events—would, indeed, take place.[325] On their call, the President pushed back on the phrasing.
The President wanted the statement to promise a "peaceful transition" of power, rather than just an "orderly" one.[326]
Miller rejected the change and told him why rather bluntly.
"[T]hat ship's kind of already sailed," he said, "so we're going to say 'orderly transition.' "[327]
7.13 HE "JUST DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYMORE"
The President did not, by any account, express grief or regret for what happened at the Capitol. Neither did he appear to grasp the gravity of what he had set in motion.
In his last phone call of the night, the President spoke with Johnny McEntee, his Director of Personnel.[328]
"[T]his is a crazy day," the President told him. McEntee said his tone was one of "[l]ike, wow, can you believe this shit . . .?"[329]
Did he express sadness over the violence visited upon the Capitol?
"No," McEntee said. "I mean, I think he was shocked by, you know, it getting a little out of control, but I don't remember sadness, specifically."[330]
President Trump didn't make any other phone calls for the rest of the night.[331] The President didn't call Vice President Pence. In fact, President Trump never called to check on his Vice President's safety that day. He didn't call the heads of any of the Federal law enforcement agencies. He didn't call the leadership—neither Republican nor Democrat—of the legislative branch of government that had just been overrun by a mob.[332]
Only two days after the riot, by January 8th, the President was over the whole thing.
