Struggling to Stay Awake for 20 Minutes in the Oval Office
At 79, the Oldest President Faces Backlash Over Age Attacks
Donald Trump, former President of the United States, who once mocked former President Joe Biden as "Sleepy Joe," is now facing backlash himself. On the 6th (local time), during an event at the White House's Oval Office to announce a price reduction for obesity medications, Trump was caught on camera struggling to stay awake for about 20 minutes, sparking a wave of ridicule on social media.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, who is visiting Saudi Arabia, was seen appearing to doze off during a live broadcast of an official event. Photo by Fox News
In a video released by The Washington Post, President Trump can be seen repeatedly closing and opening his eyes while the speaker is talking, massaging his temples, or leaning back in his chair to fight off drowsiness. Even when an unexpected incident occurred during the event, with an attendee collapsing, his struggle to stay focused continued.
The White House stated, "He responded to remarks and reporters' questions throughout the event," denying that he had dozed off, but the video had already spread widely on social media. Supporters of the Democratic Party saw Trump's behavior as "poetic justice," criticizing him for previously mocking former President Biden. Neera Tanden, who served as Domestic Policy Council Director during Biden's presidency, wrote on social media, "If President Biden had dozed off in the Oval Office, the media would have launched a barrage of attacks."
Currently 79 years old, Trump set the record as the oldest president in U.S. history when he took office at 78 years and 219 days. During the last presidential campaign, Trump attacked Biden-who is only 3 years and 7 months older than him-for his stamina and cognitive abilities. In 2021, when former President Biden was seen dozing off during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Scotland, Trump gave him the nickname "Sleepy Joe."
US President Donald Trump is making an announcement in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington D.C. on the 6th. Photo by AFP
During his visit to Saudi Arabia last May, President Trump was also caught dozing off during an official event that was broadcast live, earning him the nickname "Sleepy Don" in return. Local media and internet users have been repeatedly sharing footage from both the Saudi Arabia event and the recent White House incident, creating a variety of memes and jokes.
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