[Video below.] President Donald Trump briefly shifted focus during a high-level Cabinet meeting Thursday, launching into a lengthy and unexpected discussion about his preferred Sharpie markers even as top officials were addressing major issues including the Iran conflict, airport delays, and economic concerns.

At one point early in the meeting, Trump held up a customized black-and-gold marker and began recounting how it became a staple in the White House. “See this pen right here?” Trump said at the start of a roughly five-minute, on-and-off diatribe on the Sharpie. “This pen is an interesting example.”

The extended aside stood out during a session that otherwise featured serious updates from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, envoy Steve Witkoff, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who spoke about missile threats, Iran’s nuclear activity, and U.S. troops still deployed in dangerous areas.

Trump framed the story as an illustration of his approach to cutting costs in government, while also tying it to his ongoing criticism of expensive federal projects, including renovations to the Federal Reserve building.

“We’ve gotta get our priorities straight,” Trump said.

He began by describing how the White House had previously stocked expensive writing instruments. According to Trump, the pens used for ceremonial bill signings once cost as much as $1,000 each.

He said this became an issue because he regularly gives out pens during signing ceremonies to lawmakers, aides, and others involved in legislation—including children, who he suggested may not appreciate their value.

“Sometimes you have 30, 40 people,” Trump said.

Despite his reputation for favoring lavish projects, Trump said distributing so many high-cost items made him uncomfortable.

“I feel guilty by nature.”

“I love the government like I love myself, economically,” Trump said. “I want to save money.”

He explained that he worked with a manufacturer to produce a more affordable alternative and initially hesitated to mention the company by name, before revealing it was Sharpie—a disclosure that drew laughter from those in attendance.

Trump has long used Sharpies, both in his years as a businessman and during his presidency, whether signing documents or annotating materials with his signature bold ink style.

He said he contacted the company about creating custom pens featuring the White House insignia and was told they would provide them at no cost. Trump said he insisted on paying $5 per pen, even though standard Sharpies typically retail for $1 to $2.

“The head of Sharpie gets a call. I don’t even know who the hell he is. He said, ‘Is this really the president?’” Trump said.

The anecdote marked one of the most notable mentions of the marker since the “Sharpiegate” episode during Hurricane Dorian in Trump’s first term. However, the company that produces Sharpie, Newell Brands, later said it had no information about the exchange Trump described, while noting that the pens are widely used by public figures across various fields.

Trump concluded the story by presenting it as a practical lesson.

“For $5, I get a much better pen than for $1,000, and I can hand them out,” he said. “And, honestly, they’ve become hot as a pistol, so what can I tell you?”

After finishing his remarks, Trump joked about the challenge of following his storytelling before turning the meeting back to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“Good luck, Scott,” he said as the rest of the Cabinet laughed again.

“Well, sir,” Bessent offered, “as usual, you’re a tough act to follow.”

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