President Donald Trump was busy during the longest federal government shutdown in history.

While other presidents have largely kept their activities narrowly focused on helping end past government shutdowns, Trump visited six countries, spoke at a million-dollar-per-plate dinner, undertook a massive construction project at the White House and went golfing more than a half-dozen times. Among his activities: a “Great Gatsby”-themed party at Mar-a-Lago on the eve of the scheduled suspension of food assistance benefits.

Historians say Trump’s agenda over the last 40-plus days marks a notable departure from how previous presidents have operated during government shutdowns, citing his lack of visible participation in negotiating a bipartisan agreement and his administration’s unprecedented use

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