WATCH: Trump says he never talks to his kids about business as president but 'I think I'm allowed to'

President Donald Trump invoked George Washington on Monday to defend his family's business activities, particularly in light of recent financial disclosures showing they made over $1 billion in cryptocurrency last year.

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I don't talk to them. I'm allowed to, I think.

Trump stated he does not speak with his sons about the family business, the Trump Organization, while serving as president. "I don't talk to them," Trump said, adding, "I'm allowed to, I think." He suggested that his focus is on the presidency, which he described as "a much higher calling."

However, Trump also offered a historical analogy, claiming George Washington had two desks in his office, one for business and one for presidential matters, to illustrate that presidents are permitted to engage in such activities. This assertion has been met with skepticism, as historical accounts of Washington's presidency do not typically detail such a setup for managing personal business alongside presidential duties.

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This office is a much higher calling.

The president's comments come amid sharp criticism following the release of financial disclosures that highlighted his family's significant earnings. The report detailed how crypto, real estate, and watches contributed to Trump's income last year, raising fresh questions about potential conflicts of interest and profiting from the presidency.

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He had two desks in the same room. And so, you're allowed to. But I choose not to. I don't talk to my kids about, you know, this stuff.