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The White House pushed back against online speculation after images from an Oval Office event appeared to show US President Donald Trump sitting with his eyes closed as officials delivered remarks behind him.
The incident occurred during a discussion on maternal health and fertility, where Trump was seen remaining still with his eyes shut for several moments while members of his administration addressed attendees.
The online debate intensified after a Reuters journalist shared a photograph of Trump with his eyes closed.
The Reuters post itself did not claim Trump had fallen asleep. Its caption read: “US President Donald Trump attends a maternal health event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 11, 2026.”
However, the White House’s Rapid Response 47 account reacted angrily to the post.
“He was blinking, you absolute moron,” the account replied on X.
The exchange quickly drew reactions from Democratic lawmakers. Congressman Ted Lieu wrote: “That is a verrrrrrrrryyyyy long blink. Imagine what happens when there are no cameras. Trump is not mentally or physically fit to be President of the United States.”
Another Democratic congressman, Jimmy Gomez, also criticised the president, writing: “This guy is asleep at the wheel, and he's about to drive the entire country off a cliff.”
Earlier, in December 2025, footage from a more than two-hour Cabinet meeting drew attention online after Trump appeared to repeatedly close his eyes and look fatigued while senior officials addressed the room.
During the meeting, the 79-year-old president was seen shifting in his chair, leaning back and forth, moving his hands and, at times, sitting motionless with his eyes shut as Cabinet members spoke. Reporters present said the moments were brief but clearly noticeable.
Trump later denied that he had fallen asleep. “I didn't sleep. I just closed (my eyes) because I wanted to get the hell outta here,” he said at the time.
Reports also suggested he had difficulty keeping his eyes open during an Oval Office event with pharmaceutical executives last month.
The incident occurred during a discussion on maternal health and fertility, where Trump was seen remaining still with his eyes shut for several moments while members of his administration addressed attendees.
The online debate intensified after a Reuters journalist shared a photograph of Trump with his eyes closed.
White House responds to online speculation
The Reuters post itself did not claim Trump had fallen asleep. Its caption read: “US President Donald Trump attends a maternal health event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, DC, US, May 11, 2026.”
However, the White House’s Rapid Response 47 account reacted angrily to the post.
“He was blinking, you absolute moron,” the account replied on X.
He was blinking, you absolute moron https://t.co/7gw3n7l8R3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 11, 2026
Democrats mock Trump over incident
The exchange quickly drew reactions from Democratic lawmakers. Congressman Ted Lieu wrote: “That is a verrrrrrrrryyyyy long blink. Imagine what happens when there are no cameras. Trump is not mentally or physically fit to be President of the United States.”
Another Democratic congressman, Jimmy Gomez, also criticised the president, writing: “This guy is asleep at the wheel, and he's about to drive the entire country off a cliff.”
Similar moments have surfaced before
Earlier, in December 2025, footage from a more than two-hour Cabinet meeting drew attention online after Trump appeared to repeatedly close his eyes and look fatigued while senior officials addressed the room.
During the meeting, the 79-year-old president was seen shifting in his chair, leaning back and forth, moving his hands and, at times, sitting motionless with his eyes shut as Cabinet members spoke. Reporters present said the moments were brief but clearly noticeable.
Trump later denied that he had fallen asleep. “I didn't sleep. I just closed (my eyes) because I wanted to get the hell outta here,” he said at the time.
Reports also suggested he had difficulty keeping his eyes open during an Oval Office event with pharmaceutical executives last month.
