Overview
- At a maternal-health event in the Oval Office on Monday, video and photos showed President Trump sitting still with his eyes closed for roughly 17 seconds as others spoke.
- After Reuters journalist Idrees Ali posted an image, the White House Rapid Response account replied, "He was blinking, you absolute moron," and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles said he was fine.
- Critics shared longer clips and "Sleepy Don" trended on X, presenting the moment as part of a months-long pattern of eye-closure episodes at public events.
- The White House scheduled a medical and dental exam for May 26 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, setting up a formal checkpoint for health details.
- Overnight Monday, AFP reported the president posted more than 50 times on Truth Social, reinforcing concerns that late-night activity may be affecting daytime alertness.