The White House press office determines full lid timing based on the conclusion of President Trump’s daily public schedule, including executive time, policy meetings, and any Oval Office events or briefings. Recent patterns show lids often called between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM ET on routine Washington days, influenced by the absence of travel, press gaggles, or major announcements. For the May 18–23 window, the schedule features standard in-town activities with limited high-profile commitments, though any late executive actions, bilateral calls, or unfolding developments could extend coverage and delay a full lid past 6:30 PM. Trader assessments reflect historical frequency of early closures during non-travel periods alongside the potential for schedule shifts that keep the press pool active longer.