• News
  • Life
  • TV & Film
  • Beauty
  • Style
  • Home
  • News
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment
    • Politics
    • Royal Family
  • Life
    • Animals
    • Food & Drink
    • Women's Health
    • Mental Health
    • Sex & Relationships
    • Travel
    • Real Life
  • TV & Film
    • True Crime
    • Documentaries
    • Netflix
    • BBC
    • ITV
    • Tyla Recommends
  • Beauty
    • Hair
    • Make-up
    • Skincare
  • Style
    • Home
    • Fashion
    • Shopping
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
Submit Your Content
Donald Trump addresses claims he ‘falls asleep’ during White House events

Home> News> Politics

Published 14:55 2 Jan 2026 GMT

Donald Trump addresses claims he ‘falls asleep’ during White House events

The US President has explained why he's been pictured with his eyes closed so many times

Madison Burgess

Madison Burgess

Donald Trump has hit back at the accusations that he often falls asleep at White House events, and explained what's really happening.

Now, there's no denying that there are quite a few pictures of the US president, 79, with his eyes closed at public-facing events, looking like he's having a little snooze.

It's become somewhat of a running joke on the internet and the Republican leader can't really get away from the swirling photos.

For example, back in September, people on social media accused the world leader of nodding off during a nail-biting match at the US Open.

Advert

To be specific, it was the tense men's singles final of the tennis tournament in New York, which saw Carlos Alcaraz triumph over Jannik Sinner.

One angry tennis fan wrote: "Trump is asleep while many fans are spending 2 hours in line trying to get into the US Open because of security with Trump there."

The US president has been captured with his eyes closed on numerous different occasions (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The US president has been captured with his eyes closed on numerous different occasions (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Trump has also been pictured 'sleeping' at Pope Francis' funeral in April, as well as during a cabinet meeting just last month.

During a lengthy meeting on December 2, the American President could be seen sometimes squinting his eyes and at least one time, he actually did fully close them.

People online were quick to bring up Trump's slamming of former Democratic leader Joe Biden, whom he regularly referred to as 'Sleepy Joe'.

One social media user penned: "He keeps falling asleep in the middle of meetings yet media is silent. If Joe Biden did this even once it would be front page EVERYWHERE."

A second added: "Sleepy Don strikes again. How unprofessional," and a third penned: "Who’s Sleepy Joe now, you [clown emoji]?"

Here the president is, appearing to be taking a power nap at the 2025 US Open (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Here the president is, appearing to be taking a power nap at the 2025 US Open (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

However, as we say, Trump, who at 79 is now the oldest person to assume the US presidency, has now hit back at the allegations and denied falling asleep while attending public meetings.

He lamented that his 'health is perfect' and slammed the ongoing scrutiny of his well-being in a new interview with The Wall Street Journal.

Trump told the publication: "I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me. Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink."

He added that he's 'never been a big sleeper' and the WSJ reports that he has difficulty getting much shut eye at night and is often 'texting and calling aides at 2am or later'.

It's also apparently a 'particular issue aboard Air Force One, where Trump keeps his advisers awake, according to aides'.

He's shut down the claims and offered an explanation (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
He's shut down the claims and offered an explanation (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The publication reports that staff members take it in turns to sit with the US President on long trips, so that others can get some shut eye while one person remains by his side.

In the same new interview, the world leader also addressed a large bruise that's been spotted on his hand multiple times, sparking health concerns.

He explained that it's caused by him taking aspirin, which made him more susceptible to bleeding.

"They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," he explained in the New Year's Day interview.

Adding: "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"

Featured Image Credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Topics: Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Politics, Health, News, Sleep, US News

Madison Burgess
Madison Burgess

Madison is a Journalist at Tyla with a keen interest in lifestyle, entertainment and culture. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first-class degree in Journalism Studies, and has previously written for DMG Media as a Showbiz Reporter and Audience Writer.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • White House defends Donald Trump’s decision to ‘give the middle finger’
  • Mark Ruffalo's brutal Trump speech at Golden Globes sparks backlash from White House
  • Donald Trump gives bizarre new explanation for mysteriously bruised hand
  • Nobel Peace Prize winner leaves White House with branded gift bag after handing Trump her award

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • Getty Stock Images
    an hour ago

    ‘Ozempic neck’ explained as weight loss jab users experience unexpected side effect

    As weight loss injections rise in popularity, doctors flag a growing aesthetic concern

    News
  • Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Trump sparks outrage with 'utterly ridiculous' claims about NATO forces in Afghanistan

    The US President accused the troops of his fellow NATO members of staying 'a little off the frontlines' in Afghanistan, following 9/11

    News
  • Anna Moneymaker/Staff/via Getty
    4 hours ago

    US responds to fears Trump's indefinite travel ban on 75 countries will affect major world event

    The event is due to kick off in June

    News
  • Karwai Tang/WireImage
    4 hours ago

    Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor must follow strict rule after Sandringham Estate move

    The former Duke of York was evicted from Royal Lodge after officially being stripped of his royal titles late last year

    News