Video from a televised Cabinet meeting showed President Trump with his eyes closed while aides praised his leadership, renewing scrutiny of his age and stamina. The episode contrasts with his past attacks on rivals as "low energy" and his boast of never napping. The White House said he was "listening attentively," but critics say the footage contradicts that claim. At 79, Trump’s visible fatigue has prompted questions about presidential fitness and public expectations.
Trump’s Anti‑Nap Boast Backfires as He Appears Drowsy During Cabinet Meeting
Summary: President Donald Trump’s public dismissal of naps and attacks on rivals for being “low energy” drew renewed attention after video from a televised Cabinet meeting showed him with his eyes closed while aides praised his leadership. The footage reignited questions about his stamina and how age affects presidential performance.
What Happened
About 20 minutes into his opening remarks at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, President Trump addressed reporters angrily about coverage of his age, saying,
“You people are crazy. I’ll let you know when there’s something wrong. There will be someday. That’s going to happen to all of us. But right now, I think I’m sharper than I was 25 years ago. But who the hell knows.”
Video from the meeting showed Trump sitting back in a leather chair with his eyes closed while Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised his handling of negotiations over the war in Ukraine. Rubio said,
“We’ve got a million things we could be focused on, but he’s the only leader in the world who can help end it.”The visual contrast between Rubio’s energetic praise and the president’s subdued demeanor sparked criticism and public scrutiny.
Context And Contrast
The moment is striking against Trump’s own long‑standing rhetoric. During the 2016 campaign he repeatedly labeled rivals “low energy,” mocking Hillary Clinton for taking naps and boasting,
“No naps for Trump, no naps. I don’t take naps. We don’t have time.”A look back at a 2000 KSDK interview shows a younger Trump staying more tightly on topic in brief exchanges — a contrast critics say highlights a shift in focus and cadence in recent years.
White House Response And Public Reaction
When asked whether the president had fallen asleep, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded that Mr. Trump was “listening attentively and running the entire” meeting, pointing to a later question‑and‑answer segment in which the president launched into an impassioned — and widely criticized — tirade about Somali immigrants. Critics called that defense disingenuous, saying it asks the public to ignore easily observed video evidence.
Why It Matters
Observers argue it is reasonable to assess how fatigue and age affect the nation’s leader. Trump is 79 years old; the average U.S. male life expectancy is 75.8 years, which provides context but does not by itself resolve questions about cognitive or physical fitness for office. Trump’s late‑night activity on social media the previous evening was offered as a possible explanation for temporary tiredness, but many commentators say remaining alert during the workday is a basic expectation for a president regardless of habits.
Bottom line: The episode underlines a political irony — a long campaign line against “naps” and “low energy” looks different when the president himself appears drowsy on camera. Whether this moment will have lasting political consequences depends on how the White House addresses concerns and how often similar incidents recur.
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