Trump Seen Dozing Off Briefly During Recent Cabinet Meeting, Officials Report

During Cabinet Meeting, Trump Appears to Doze Off

At the start of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday just after noon ET, President Donald Trump mocked President Joe Biden, calling him "Sleepy Joe." Trump insisted he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago” while criticizing The New York Times for suggesting he has slowed down in his second term.

Despite his claim of being sharp and vigorous, Trump struggled to stay awake throughout the hour-and-a-half meeting. As his Cabinet members praised him, he repeatedly appeared to doze off, at times closing his eyes for several seconds at a time.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised Trump’s trade wars about 15 minutes after the president’s initial remarks. At that point, Trump seemed to fight hard to keep his eyes open, with his blinking becoming slower as the meeting progressed.

The pattern continued during reports from various Cabinet members. Trump’s eyes grew heavy as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin spoke. Later, Trump appeared frozen with his eyes closed for up to 15 seconds during comments from Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s speech about Trump’s efforts to end wars provoked an even more noticeable struggle. Sitting next to Rubio, Trump’s apparent dozing was clearly visible on camera. Rubio ended with a joke about college football, but Trump showed little reaction.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump’s condition. She said he was “listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting.” Leavitt cited his holding nine Cabinet meetings this year and highlighted his active exchanges with the press.

This episode follows another recent incident in November when Trump seemed to fight sleep during an Oval Office event. Videos from that day showed Trump battling to keep his eyes open for nearly 20 minutes, fueling widespread discussion.

Trump’s past criticisms of Biden for appearing tired or falling asleep on camera add a layer of irony to the situation. He frequently labeled Biden "Sleepy Joe," criticizing his stamina and engagement. For example, after Biden nodded off during a climate conference and other events, Trump publicly condemned such displays as signs of lack of enthusiasm.

While age and health play roles in public perceptions, Trump’s own transparency about his health has been limited. His medical disclosures include hyperbolic doctor’s letters and resistance to full reporting on medical visits, which have raised questions amid observed signs of aging.

The repeated scenes of Trump dozing during official events contrast with his own standards for presidential fitness. They highlight an ongoing tension between his public image and moments of visible fatigue, underscoring scrutiny of presidential stamina as a critical issue.