The White House has forcefully denied claims that former President Donald Trump has been falling asleep during critical government meetings, following a series of photographs and videos that sparked widespread concern about his health and stamina.
Defence from Senior Staff
In a bid to quell the growing speculation, senior members of Trump's team have publicly defended his conduct. Susie Wiles, the White House Chief of Staff, addressed the issue directly, stating that while the President has been seen with his eyes closed, he is not asleep. "He's not asleep. He's got his eyes closed and his head leaned back ... and, you know, he's fine," Wiles asserted in a recent interview.
This defence follows several incidents where Trump was photographed and filmed with his eyes shut during official engagements. Notably, he was seen in this state during a televised Cabinet meeting on December 2 and again during an Oval Office announcement on November 6.
Social Media Reaction and Political Optics
The visuals have ignited a firestorm on social media, with critics, particularly from the Democratic side, expressing alarm. One commentator on X, identifying as a Democrat, shared footage with the caption: "Trump just fell asleep again. This keeps happening. He’s obviously not okay." Others pointed out the perceived poor optics, especially when the President appeared to drift off as Senator Marco Rubio spoke about the war in Ukraine.
Despite the online furore, Trump's press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, praised his "amazing" performance. She emphasised that during a lengthy three-hour Cabinet meeting, the President was "listening attentively and running the entire" session, highlighting his administration's accomplishments.
Trump's Own Comments and Counter-Attack
When questioned by a journalist about his schedule after the November 6 incident, Trump himself downplayed the need for sleep. "He does not sleep much, and I don’t sleep much, I think we have the same schedule. Thinking about our countries," he remarked. In a characteristic move, he then pivoted to mock his predecessor, Joe Biden, for allegedly sleeping "all the time," reviving a longstanding attack line from his campaign.
The White House's concerted effort to dismiss the narrative underscores the political sensitivity surrounding a leader's physical and mental fitness. As images continue to circulate, the debate over Trump's health and his capacity to manage the demanding role shows no sign of abating.
