WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump, at age 79, exhibited signs of fatigue during a lengthy Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, intermittently closing his eyes for roughly six minutes in total as his administration officials lauded his leadership. This occurrence has intensified scrutiny over the president’s health and his ability to manage the stresses of his office amid a demanding schedule.
The near two-and-a-half-hour meeting, which was partially televised, showed Trump apparently struggling to stay awake as Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth delivered their speeches. The president had a particularly busy previous night, having posted over 160 times on the social media platform Truth Social.
Before the session commenced, Trump addressed the press, asserting his cognitive sharpness exceeds that of his past, dismissing concerns about his health. “I’ll let you know when there’s something wrong. There will be some day that’s going to happen to all of us. But right now, I think I’m sharper than I was 25 years ago,” he declared. Trump is currently the oldest person to hold the presidency, a fact that has not gone without public and media attention regarding his physical stamina and cognitive capabilities.
During the meeting, visible moments of Trump nodding off were captured as detailed discussions from Rubio on transformative shifts in American foreign policy and Hegseth on defense issues unfolded. Other key figures in attendance included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Reacting to these images, California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a video excerpt of the dozing president with the caption “DOZY DON IS BACK!”—a jab mirroring Trump’s own derogatory moniker “Sleepy Joe” directed at former President Joe Biden.
In defense of Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assured the media that the president was fully engaged, suggesting his closing of eyes was misleading as he was attentively listening. She highlighted his coherent and comprehensive responses during the meeting’s conclusion.
Moreover, during the meeting, Trump was observed with two Band-Aids on his right hand. A medical report from July disclosed that the president has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common among seniors.
This is not the first instance of Trump appearing to falter in alertness during official engagements. Prior observations include instances during a press conference with Dr. Mehmet Oz and a summit in Saudi Arabia. More recently, he was seen suddenly awakening at a December roundtable discussion at the White House.
Public reaction varies widely, as evidenced by an Axios focus group involving voters who switched allegiance from Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024. A significant majority expressed concerns over Trump’s alertness during meetings, speculating about potential undisclosed health issues.
The New York Times published an article last November suggesting a noticeable reduction in Trump’s workload and hinting at his aging. Trump has fiercely contested these claims on Truth Social, asserting his vigor and dismissing the report as slander.
Insight into the president’s internal reactions to these public perceptions was discussed by author Michael Wolff, who noted that Trump often expresses frustration and lays blame on his aides after such embarrassing incidents.
On a supportive note, Dr. Marc Siegel compared Trump’s need for short rests to historical figures like Thomas Edison, who was known for his brief naps. Siegel defended the idea that Trump’s minimal sleep could contribute to his need for rest during extended meetings.
Amid regular commendations from his Cabinet during the meeting, Trump’s physical demeanor suggested a struggle to remain attentive. This episode has fueled ongoing debates about whether the demands of the presidency and his late-night activities on social media are taking a toll on his health and overall performance in office.
Trump continues to assure the public and media that he will disclose any significant health issues, reaffirming his statement that age-related challenges are inevitable but claiming sustained mental acuity compared to previous decades.