US Media: "Trump, Who Mocked Biden, Nods Off During Trial"

Unable to Confirm Truth Due to Private Trial
Some Journalists Who Attended Describe Trump's Appearance
Age Controversy Rekindled... Criticized as "Sleepy Donald"

Donald Trump, the former U.S. president, who stood in a criminal court as a defendant for the first time in American constitutional history, was caught dozing off in court.

On the 15th (local time), former President Donald Trump before the trial regarding the 'hush money for sexual assault' at the Manhattan court in New York, USA.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

On the 15th (local time), local foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) reported in unison that Trump, attending the hush money trial related to a sexual misconduct scandal, was nodding off during the trial. The NYT described, "Even while the judge was listening to arguments and the lawyer was passing notes to him, former President Trump was dozing off with his mouth open and his head dropping down to his chest."

The Washington Post (WP) also reported that even after the jury selection process began following lunch, Trump's eyelids kept closing, prompting his legal team to refill his drink and exchange awkward glances. The British daily The Times reported that Trump closed his eyes several times during the trial and appeared to have briefly fallen asleep. They added that his mouth opened and closed, and his eyelids were slightly open, giving him a squinting look.

However, it has not been confirmed whether Trump actually fell asleep during the trial. The trial is not broadcast on TV, and photos are only allowed before the trial begins. Only a few reporters observed the jury selection process on-site, while other journalists followed the proceedings via video in a nearby courtroom.

The issue is that Trump has long referred to 82-year-old President Joe Biden as "Sleepy Joe," mocking concerns about his age. Trump himself is 78 years old, only four years younger than Biden, yet he appeared to be dozing off in court on this day as well.

The Democratic Party did not miss the opportunity to counterattack upon hearing this news. Former White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield sarcastically called him "Sleepy Don." Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, questioned, "If Trump is so old and weak that he can barely stay awake during his criminal trial, what do you think happens in the Situation Room when he’s president?"

Meanwhile, this trial was the first hearing of the only one among the four criminal trials Trump faces that is scheduled before the November election. In October 2016, just before the presidential election, Stormy Daniels, a former porn actress, attempted to reveal an affair with Trump. Trump is accused of paying $130,000 (about 175 million KRW) in hush money and then falsifying documents by recording the payment in corporate accounting books. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison. The trial will be held intensively four times a week, except Wednesdays, over the next 6 to 8 weeks.