US President Donald Trump appeared to briefly nod off during a high-profile Oval Office ceremony to announce a major change to school meal programmes affecting millions of American children.
The Drowsy Signing Ceremony
New footage from the White House on January 14th, 2026, captured the 79-year-old president closing his eyes and seemingly falling asleep for a significant period. The incident occurred as Trump signed a bill to allow school canteens to serve whole and 2% milk, overturning limits set during the Obama era.
The ceremony was attended by lawmakers, dairy farmers, and their children. However, as cabinet officials began speaking about the benefits of higher-fat milk, President Trump was seen resting his eyes. He kept them closed for at least 17 seconds, only reopening them when US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins raised the volume of her voice.
Details of the New School Nutrition Law
The policy shift, which Trump had earlier championed by declaring "whole milk is a great thing," represents a significant change to the National School Lunch Programme. The new law does more than just reintroduce whole milk; it also permits schools to serve nondairy alternatives that meet specific nutritional standards. Furthermore, schools are now required to offer a nondairy milk option if a child provides a parental note citing a dietary restriction.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a vocal advocate for the change, labelled the law "a long-overdue correction to school nutrition policy." The Trump administration promoted the move with a social media post from the Agriculture Department showing the president with a glass of milk and a 'milk mustache'.
Health Questions and Presidential Denials
This episode adds to ongoing scrutiny regarding the president's health and stamina. Trump has previously undergone tests for his cognitive skills, and last year was spotted using makeup to cover bruises on his hands, which the White House attributed to frequent handshaking and a daily aspirin regimen.
The president has consistently denied accusations of sleeping during official duties. Earlier in January, he told the Wall Street Journal that he was often merely "resting his eyes" or blinking. "I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me," he stated, adding that critics sometimes catch him mid-blink.
Despite the sleepy interlude, the policy itself is set to have a wide-reaching impact. The new rules will alter the meals served to approximately 30 million students across the United States, marking one of the most substantial shifts in school nutrition in over a decade.
