Trump Allegedly Fell Asleep During Official Event
United States President Donald Trump returned to the public spotlight after being filmed nearly falling asleep during an official White House event. The incident occurred during an announcement of drug price cuts in the Oval Office on November 6, 2025, and quickly went viral on social media.
According to video analysis by The Washington Post, Trump appeared to be struggling to stay asleep for about 20 minutes. In the circulating footage, the 45th US president was seen closing his eyes several times, clutching his temples, and slumping in his chair as several officials took turns addressing, including the Secretary of Health and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
This moment drew public attention because Trump had previously frequently called President Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe.” Ironically, he was now being filmed in a similar situation.
The event was temporarily halted after a participant standing behind the president suddenly fainted. When it resumed about an hour later, Trump appeared more alert, although some footage still showed him with his eyes closed.
White House Denies Trump Fell Asleep
In response to the viral video, the White House denied allegations that President Trump fell asleep during the event.
“The President did not fall asleep. In fact, he spoke and answered numerous questions from the press during the announcement,” White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in an official statement.
Rogers also emphasized that the event was a significant milestone because it marked historic price reductions for two major pharmaceuticals in the United States.
Public Reaction and Democratic Criticism
Despite the official clarification, criticism from the Democratic camp persisted. Several former Biden administration staffers considered the incident ironic, given Trump’s frequent mockery of Biden’s physical condition and stamina.
“The national media would be freaking out if Joe Biden fell asleep in his chair in the Oval Office,” Neera Tanden, a former White House domestic policy official, quipped on social media.
Meanwhile, several staffers in Trump’s inner circle attributed the incident to fatigue stemming from the president’s busy schedule. In recent days, Trump has been known to have made a series of trips to Asia, Florida, and Miami.
However, the irony resurfaced when, hours after the incident, Trump still managed to use the nickname “Sleepy Joe” for Biden in his speech to his supporters.
