By M.J. Frost (mjfrostbitten@gmail.com)
In order to mark the beginning of the summer season, the White House this week surprised the press corps by releasing what was identified as a “summer reading list” featuring entries submitted by many members of the Administration, including President Donald Trump, and others with close ties to the White House.
It did not come without controversy, as Trump complained about the timing of the list’s release on Twitter: “The fake news media are calling it the start of summer. Anyone with credibility knows summer begins on Memorial Day weekend…”
He continued: “…when mattresses are in bloom. Just like anyone knows Fall starts in August, when pumpkin spice lattes go on sale. Sad fake science. Disgrace!”
Nonetheless, Trump led the reading list with six entries. Here are the entries submitted, some of which include side notes in parentheses:
President Trump
- Art of the Deal
- My smartphone
- A Penthouse Letter Compendium
- The transcript of my first cabinet meeting (twice daily)
- The electoral college map (eleven times daily)
- Hillary’s Emails
Vice President Pence
- The Stepford Wives (a how-to guide)
- The Handmaid’s Tale (also a how-to guide)
- Text of the 25th Amendment
Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon
- Mein Kampf
- Fahrenheit 451
- Tips and Tricks of Puppetry
Presidential Advisor Stephen Miller
- The Constitution and Other Historical Oddities
- How To Control Your Blood Pressure
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson
Gazprom annual report and prospectus
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos
(entry left blank with no explanation)
White House Spokesman Sean Spicer
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Editor’s Note: GuyFromCNY has since learned he may not read it, but instead may simply hide behind it)
EPA Director Scott Pruitt
How To Build an Ark
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue
Hardee’s menu (note reads “please forward to Betsy for school lunch initiative”)
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry
- The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Nuclear Energy
- Gazprom annual report and prospectus
- I forgot the third thing
First Lady Melania Trump
- Wuthering Heights (hand-written note included with list reads “one can dream”)
- How To Break a Prenup, by Ben Shuyster, Esq.
First Daughter Ivanka Trump
IvankaTrump.com summer catalog
White House Counselor Kellyanne Conway
IvankaTrump.com summer catalog
Miscellaneous members of the Trump Cabinet
Federal Witness Protection Agreement