Democrats have labelled President Donald Trump 'the Commander-in-Sleep' after he appeared to doze off during an Oval Office press briefing on Thursday. The president closed his eyes and leaned back in his chair for several moments while Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum were speaking.
The official X account of the Democratic Party posted: 'The Commander-in-Sleep clocks in.' Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul's press office quipped: 'Sleeping is far better than listening to Lee Zeldin talk,' while California Governor Gavin Newsom's team declared: 'DOZY DON IS BACK (HE NEVER LEFT).'
The White House denied the president was asleep, with its Rapid Response account responding to a progressive account that claimed Trump 'appears to be completely passed out asleep' by saying: 'His eyes are literally open in the clip you posted, you dumba** mouth-breathers.' The progressive account had referenced a similar incident on May 11.
Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, also joined in, posting: 'See…I told you it was a clone. They keep forgetting to charge its battery.' Dr Jonathan Reiner, cardiologist to the late former Vice President Dick Cheney, said the behaviour was 'not normal' and noted a 'glaring omission' from Trump's recent physical examination regarding a sleep disorder.
Democratic Representative Ted Lieu of California claimed the president 'is not well' and questioned Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a House hearing. Rubio responded: 'I've never seen him fall asleep. On the contrary, the guy doesn't sleep.' The White House physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, recently declared Trump in 'excellent health' with 'strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function.'
