The White House has fired back with an unusually sharp response after images of President Donald Trump appearing slumped in his chair—eyes closed and head tilted back—during an Oval Office briefing exploded across social media, igniting a fresh wave of speculation about his health and stamina.
The moment occurred during a nationally televised event focused on the administration’s new initiative to cut the cost of weight-loss medications. Within minutes, photographs showing Trump in what many interpreted as a brief “power nap” went viral, prompting late-night jokes, political jabs, and a flurry of online memes.
Administration officials, however, swiftly pushed back, dismissing accusations that the 79-year-old President had dozed off as “complete garbage” and “another desperate attempt by the media to distract from real progress.”
The incident struck a particularly ironic chord for critics, considering Trump’s long-running habit of mocking his predecessor Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe.”
Now, as the oldest president in U.S. history—surpassing Biden’s age upon taking office—Trump found himself the target of an avalanche of online teasing. California Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time, taking to X to jab: “DOZY DON IS BACK.”
The footage showed Trump seated at the Resolute Desk beside Dr. Mehmet Oz, his controversial pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. As Dr. Oz detailed plans to dramatically reduce the cost of weight-loss drugs, Trump appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open, prompting whispers across the press pool.
“People can finally rest easier, knowing these drugs will be more affordable,” Dr. Oz remarked—ironically as the president himself looked moments away from drifting off.
In a statement sent to CNN, the White House doubled down on its defense, insisting that the President was “fully engaged” throughout the briefing, though the statement did not explain why his eyes were closed for several seconds on camera.
“The President was not sleeping,” the official statement read. “He spoke extensively during the presentation, asked policy questions, and answered multiple reporters regarding this historic price reduction for medications that help millions of Americans battling obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.”
The administration also blasted what it called “failing liberal media outlets” for focusing on Trump’s appearance instead of the substance of the policy announcement.
“This initiative will save Americans billions of dollars and countless lives, yet the media prefers to obsess over a split-second camera angle,” the statement continued.
The controversy comes at a sensitive moment for the administration, following another unusual scene in the Oval Office just a week earlier. During a private meeting with top pharmaceutical leaders, one executive suddenly collapsed, triggering a brief panic.
Photos circulating online showed staff scrambling to assist the man, while Trump stood off to the side observing the chaos. Health Secretary RFK Jr. was spotted quickly exiting the room as officials rushed in.
Dr. Oz later confirmed the individual received immediate medical care and made a full recovery.
With questions continuing to swirl, the White House remains adamant: the president wasn’t asleep—just “momentarily reflective.” But for critics and meme-makers, the internet moment was already carved in stone.