US President Donald Trump has revealed that he does not sleep during long flights, saying he prefers to stay awake and watch for potential threats.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Trump recalled how he avoids resting even on extended journeys aboard Air Force One.
“I don’t sleep on planes. I don’t like sleeping on planes,” he told the audience.
“You know, I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually,” the US President added, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Trump made the remarks while reminiscing about a trip to Iraq during his first term in office, when he flew to the region to review the US military campaign against the Islamic State group.
During that visit, Trump said he met a senior US military
officer who offered him a chance to rest after the long flight.
“He said, ‘Sir, if you’d like, you can go and sleep. It’s a 20-hour trip. We have quarters prepared for you,’” Trump recalled.
“I said, no, no, I don’t have to sleep. I don’t sleep on planes. I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies.”
TRUMP: "Sleep on the plane?! I don't sleep on planes. I don't like sleeping on planes. I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies actually."
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) February 5, 2026
Trump used the anecdote to introduce retired US Army General Daniel “Raisin” Caine, a former special operations commander whom he credited with playing a key role in the campaign against ISIS.
Who is Daniel “Raisin” Caine?
Daniel Caine, popularly nicknamed “Raisin Caine” by troops, is a decorated US military officer who served in senior counterterrorism roles. Trump has repeatedly praised him in speeches, claiming Caine helped accelerate operations that led to the defeat of ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The nickname, Trump said, caught his attention when he first met the general in Iraq.
“I came out of the plane and there was a handsome general standing there,” Trump recounted. “I said, what’s your name? He said, Raisin. I said, what the hell kind of a name is that?”
Trump said Caine offered to brief him after he had rested, but he insisted on getting straight to work instead.
“I said, no, no, let’s go right now,” Trump told the audience.
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