Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep while standing upright during a live television appearance at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, drawing fresh scrutiny over his health as Republicans suffered a heavy defeat in the midterm elections.
The 80-year-old US President was at the National Mall to deliver a speech, but was branded an "unfocused mess" after he seemed to doze off while listening to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum speak.
Psychologist Raises Concerns Over Arousal System
Psychologist Dr John Paul Garrison, speaking to Alternet.org, said the politician displayed signs of deterioration during the appearance. "The fact that he's starting to nod off while he is standing is concerning," he said.
Garrison added: "In addition to that, the fact that he's able to wake up again so quickly suggests to me that there is some issue with his arousal system, that the pathways related to wakefulness are somehow disrupted, that there's something unusual about the way those are functioning right now."
After Trump attempted to clap following Burgum's request for the audience to applaud the U.S. Park Police, Garrison told the publication that the US leader appeared "barely conscious." He also noted the President seemed to drift in and out of sleep throughout Burgum's address, while displaying involuntary spasms, an issue that has become increasingly noticeable during his public appearances.
Social Media Reaction to Trump's Condition
Viewers were left stunned by Trump's appearance, with many taking to social media. One observer wrote: "HOLY SMOKES: TRUMP JUST FELL ASLEEP STANDING UP AND ALMOST FALLS OVER WHEN DOUG BERGUM SPOKE."
Another remarked: "His pre-election rallies were unhinged in the extreme, his filters are glitching, and his physical movements are more awkward. He can't take meetings standing and frequently falls asleep."
A third queried: "He has lost his voice. It's so hoarse. His face is pale. He doesn't look good?" A fourth observed: "It's pretty obvious these elections are taking their toll on Trump and his health. He doesn't look like he's slept hardly at all, and he can barely get through his speech on reintroducing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool."
Midterm Defeat for Republicans
This follows the Republicans losing control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in a crushing midterm election defeat for the US President. In the lead-up to the vote, the Republican leader implored voters to "really pretend I'm on the ballot" at the election, despite not standing himself.
As the results rolled in, the president insisted he "would have won IN A LANDSLIDE" had he been on the ballot. In the sweeping "blue wave," the Democrats seized control of the Senate by overturning long-standing Republican seats in traditionally "red" states, including Texas, Maine, South Carolina and North Carolina. Republicans also surrendered crucial US House seats in Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, and Georgia.
