New Delhi: A video of former U.S. President Donald Trump dozing off during a press conference in the White House’s Oval Office has gone viral, triggering a wave of memes and sparking health-related jokes across social media.
The incident has forced the White House to engage in damage control amid the growing “Sleepy Don” narrative.
The short clip shows Trump seemingly nodding off during a live press conference focused on the reduction of prices for weight loss medications. Although the camera remained on, Trump appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open, sporadically blinking but mostly asleep in his chair.
Social media users quickly reacted, coining nicknames like “Sleepy Don” and mocking the former President’s apparent fatigue. California Governor Gavin Newsom joined the jibes, tweeting “Dozy Don is back” alongside Trump’s image.
The viral video sparked widespread discussions about Trump’s health, a topic he had previously used to ridicule President Joe Biden by calling him “Sleepy Joe.”
In response to the viral footage, the White House has been actively working to dispel what it called “baseless narratives” and restore focus to substantive issues. Officials emphasised that the president’s health is being well-managed and cautioned against perpetuating unfounded speculation.
The incident highlights the intense scrutiny public figures endure, especially in the era of social media where a momentary lapse can dominate headlines and public discourse. For Trump, it marks a reversal of roles, as the former President who once mocked others’ health is now the subject of similar remarks.