Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep during a live TV appearance at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall in Washington, moments before Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the midterm elections.
The 80-year-old US President was labelled an "unfocused mess" by observers as he seemed to drift off while standing and listening to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum speak.
Psychologist Raises Concerns
Psychologist Dr John Paul Garrison told Atlernet.org that the politician showed signs of decline. "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 when Burgum asked the audience to applaud for the US Park Police, Garrison said the US leader appeared "barely conscious." He added that the President also seemed to drift in and out of sleep throughout Burgum's entire address, as well as showing involuntary spasms, an issue that has become increasingly prevalent during his public addresses.
Reaction on Social Media
Viewers took to social media to comment on Trump's appearance. One remarked: "HOLY SMOKES: TRUMP JUST FELL ASLEEP STANDING UP AND ALMOST FALLS OVER WHEN DOUG BERGUM SPOKE."
Another wrote: "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 questioned: "He has lost his voice. It's so hoarse. His face is pale. He doesn't look good?"
A fourth noted: "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
The appearance came as Republicans lost control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate in a devastating midterm election for the US President.
During the run-up to the vote, Trump urged voters to "really pretend I'm on the ballot" at the election, which he is not. As the results came in, he claimed he "would have won IN A LANDSLIDE" if he had been on the ballot.
In the widespread "blue wave," the Democrats gained control of the Senate by flipping long-held Republican seats in traditionally "red" states, such as Texas, Maine, South Carolina and North Carolina. Republicans also lost critical US House seats in Texas, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Iowa, and Georgia.
