The Daily Beast analyzed Donald Trump’s Truth Social posts for April and found roughly one-third of his activity occurring overnight, with only five April days lacking posts between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Observers said his April posts were more frenzied and incendiary, raising alarm among some allies and the public. A Fox News poll (April 17–20) found 55% doubted his mental soundness. Experts warn that repeated short sleep spans and middle-of-the-night anxiety can harm cognitive function, particularly in older adults.
Investigation: One-Third Of Trump’s Posts Come At Night — Experts Raise Alarm Over Troubling Sleep Pattern
Photo Illustration by Victoria Sunday/The Daily Beast/Getty Images
A Daily Beast investigation finds that roughly one-third of former President Donald Trump’s social-media activity occurs in the middle of the night, prompting renewed questions about his sleep, behavior and fitness for office as he manages a wartime presidency.
What the Investigation Found
Reporter Josh Fiallo tallied every Truth Social post Trump published in April and analyzed their timing. The review showed that only five days in April had no activity between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.; put another way, the president posted overnight on about 80 percent of nights during the month.
“Eighty percent of nights when he could be sleeping, he’s posting,” said Daily Beast host Hugh Dougherty on The Daily Beast Podcast, praising the methodical tallying behind the finding.
Beyond frequency, the tone of Trump’s April posts appeared different: observers described them as more frantic, disjointed and incendiary, including vulgar tirades that alarmed some allies and a segment of his political base. The Daily Beast’s analysis suggests the longest uninterrupted sleep window visible in his posting pattern was about three hours, and the late-night posts often carried an anxious or agitated cadence.
Public Reaction And Context
A Fox News poll conducted April 17–20 found 55 percent of respondents said Trump lacked the mental soundness to be an effective leader. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment about whether aides were concerned by the spike in overnight posting.
Not even Dr. Oz's rousing announcement could keep Trump alert. / Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Sleep deprivation is a particular concern for an older leader. As Dougherty noted on the podcast, frequent posting at times such as 12:30 a.m., 1 a.m. or 2:45 a.m.—including a day in April when Trump posted 18 times between midnight and 2:45 a.m.—makes sustained, healthy sleep unlikely.
What Experts Say
Daily Beast executive editor Joanna Coles suggested the pattern could reflect a sleep disorder or middle-of-the-night anxiety, both of which can impair judgment and mood. Medical and sleep specialists generally warn that repeated short sleep spans and nighttime arousal can affect decision-making, emotional regulation and cognitive performance—especially in older adults.
Takeaway
The investigation does not diagnose Mr. Trump; it documents a pattern in his public posting that has prompted concern among journalists, some former aides and segments of the public. The findings have reignited debate about the effects of sleep, stress and late-night activity on leadership during a critical moment.
New episodes of The Daily Beast Podcast are released multiple times weekly. For full context and direct quotes, see The Daily Beast’s original reporting and the podcast episode cited in the investigation.
Help us improve.
