Highlights
- Trump claimed he is mentally sharper than he was 25 years ago.
- Minutes later, he repeatedly appeared to fall asleep during a Cabinet meeting.
- The dozing moments lasted for nearly an hour.
- This is the second such incident in less than a month.
- Critics point out Trump once mocked Biden for similar moments.
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday afternoon, President Donald Trump again mocked “Sleepy Joe” Biden and said recent reports questioning his health were unfair. He insisted he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago” and criticized The New York Times for reporting that he had slowed down at age 79.
Trump said, “Trump is sharp, but they’re not sharp,” while complaining that the media was treating him unjustly.
But Signs of Fatigue Soon Followed
Soon after those strong comments, he struggled to stay fully awake. Over the next 90 minutes, he appeared to drift into sleep several times as Cabinet members praised his leadership and accomplishments.
While Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick spoke, cameras showed Trump’s eyes closing for long periods. His blinking became slower as other officials—including Scott Turner, Brooke Rollins, Scott Bessent, Lori Chavez-DeRemer and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin—gave their reports.
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Repeated Long Eye Closures Noticed
By the time Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke, Trump’s eyes remained closed for 10 to 15 seconds repeatedly. He occasionally nodded or shifted slightly, but the dozing was visible.
The moment became more noticeable when Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke while sitting right beside him. Even during Rubio’s joke about the College Football Playoff, Trump did not visibly react.
White House Says He Was ‘Listening Attentively’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Trump had dozed off. She said Trump ran the “three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting” and remained alert throughout. She praised his schedule and said he answered questions strongly afterward, attacking Democrats and criticizing Somali immigrants.
Similar Incident Happened Last Month
This was not the first time cameras caught Trump fighting sleep. On November 6, during an Oval Office event, he appeared to struggle for almost 20 minutes to keep his eyes open. Those clips went viral.
Dozing Not Unusual – But Politically Significant
Experts say a 79-year-old briefly falling asleep is not shocking. He had also posted online late into the night and early morning before the meeting.
However, the issue is drawing more attention because Trump spent years mocking Biden for looking sleepy, dozing during events, or relaxing on the beach. He repeatedly said such behaviour showed a lack of “energy” and “enthusiasm.”
He once said, “You’ll never see me sleeping in front of the camera.”
Trump’s Own Standards Now Being Used Against Him
His new on-camera dozing moments have revived questions about his health and transparency. Although he often claims to be in excellent shape, he has also been criticized for vague medical reports and exaggerated health letters from his doctors.
As he shows more signs of aging, critics say the same scrutiny he applied to Biden now applies to him as well.
Source: CNN
