Donald Trump's Health Under Scrutiny: "Sleepy Don" Incident at Cabinet Meeting Sparks Renewed Concerns

Trump's Health Back in Spotlight After "Sleepy Don" Moment at Cabinet Meeting

The health of former President Donald Trump has once again become a focal point of public discussion, particularly after an incident during a recent cabinet meeting at the White House. Despite frequently labeling his predecessor as "Sleepy Joe," Trump himself was observed with his eyes closed for significant periods during the Tuesday gathering in Washington.

The 79-year-old, who holds the distinction of being the oldest individual elected U.S. president, was seen struggling to stay awake as cabinet members took turns extolling his leadership before the cameras. This episode quickly reignited questions about the Republican billionaire's physical and mental fitness, even as his team had been actively pushing back against prior health speculations.

The White House swiftly dismissed any notion of Trump dozing off. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a statement to AFP on Wednesday, asserting that "President Trump was listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon cabinet meeting." Leavitt further emphasized Trump's "amazing" concluding remarks, where he voiced strong opinions regarding Somali immigrants, framing it as an "epic moment" that capped his ninth fully press-open cabinet meeting of his second term.

Prior Dismissals and Self-Assessment

Just before Tuesday's lengthy session, Trump had directly addressed and brushed aside concerns about his stamina. He challenged reporters, whom he called "crazy," by stating, "You always find something new, like, 'is he in good health? Biden was great, but is Trump in good health?'" He reiterated his familiar claim of having "aced" a cognitive health test and confidently declared, "I'll let you know when there's something wrong... But right now I think I'm sharper than I was 25 years ago."

However, only minutes later, Trump was visibly seen closing his eyes for several seconds at a time while cabinet members, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio seated beside him, lauded the administration's achievements. This even occurred as Rubio described Trump as the "only leader in the world" capable of resolving the Ukraine conflict. This incident follows a similar occurrence less than a month prior, when Trump, who will turn 80 in June, also appeared to close his eyes during an Oval Office event on drug price reduction.

Mounting Scrutiny and Political Comparisons

The spotlight on Trump's health intensified in late November following a New York Times report that indicated a significant reduction in his public appearances, domestic travel, and working hours compared to his first term. Trump vehemently denounced the article as a "hit piece," while Press Secretary Leavitt countered by displaying past New York Times articles that she claimed downplayed concerns about then-President Biden's health.

The administration's frustration is reportedly fueled by what they perceive as biased media coverage concerning Democrat Biden's health during his time in office. Trump himself has often highlighted his perceived vigor in stark contrast to Biden, who withdrew from the 2024 election at 81 after a debate performance sparked widespread concerns about his age and cognitive acuity.

Nonetheless, the health of any U.S. president remains a matter of global interest, given the demanding nature of the role. Trump's recent actions have brought his fitness squarely back into focus. The cabinet meeting incident became fodder for late-night comedy, with critics like Jimmy Kimmel featuring footage of Trump with closed eyes, quipping, "Tell us again how sleepy Joe is, will ya?" Social media users also speculated on Trump's fatigue, noting a flurry of over 160 late-night and early-morning Truth Social posts around the time of the meeting, though staff are known to handle some of his online activity.

Transparency Concerns and Medical Reports

Trump has long faced criticism for a perceived lack of transparency regarding his health. After questions arose about a second "annual" health check-up, including an MRI scan in October, his official doctor recently stated that the "preventative" examination confirmed Trump to be in "excellent" cardiovascular health.