US President Donald Trump has sparked fresh health concerns after he was caught on camera appearing to fall asleep during an important Oval Office meeting. The incident occurred as he was surrounded by lawmakers and guests who had gathered to witness him sign a bill allowing whole milk to be served in school cafeterias.
President appears to doze off during milk bill signing
As US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins spoke about the benefits of full-fat milk, Trump appeared to close his eyes for an extended period. The president only reopened them when Rollins raised the volume of her speech. The bill overturns Barack Obama's limits on higher-fat milk options in schools.
The clip circulated online, prompting mixed reactions. One viewer asked: "Is this a devastating blow to his high-powered brand and business empire? Honestly, give the man a break, he’s the president, not 'Sleepy Joe' clocking eight hours of beauty sleep on a beach chair."
Online reactions divided
Another supporter said: "The guy runs on pure caffeine, sheer willpower, and fast food. Cut him some slack for a quick power nap!" A third suggested: "Or he’s looking down. I often look down at the table during boring meetings when people are talking behind me."
Defending the president, one fan added: "I personally don't care if he closes his eyes for a few moments here and there at boring meetings. In my lifetime, I have never known any president to work so hard for Americans." But another was unimpressed, raging: "There is no convincing me otherwise. We need him removed from Office ASAP."
Medical expert weighs in
The incident follows comments from CNN medical expert Jonathan Reiner on Erin Burnett's Outfront programme. Reiner claimed: "Trump has not looked well and we should know why." He stated: "The president does not look well and hasn't looked well for much of the last year. He has perhaps one of the most consequential jobs on the planet."
After listing previous presidents who underwent major treatment during their terms, Reiner added: "In the last administration, there were major concerns about the health of President [Joe] Biden. I'm concerned when I watch the President. He has had multiple visible ailments, and it's really not hard to see. He's one of the most photographed people ever to hold the office. He's had obvious bruises that really won't go away; he's had some very severe swelling in his legs and, most disturbing to me, for the last several months, he has fallen asleep in the Oval Office and other very public venues, over and over again, and we have never seen that before."
