President Donald Trump, already facingcognitive health questions, stumbled when he took the stage at Thursday's National Prayer Breakfast, as he showered a fellow world leader with praise — but couldn't remember the man's name.
"We’re joined today by a very, very brave, wonderful man," Trump announced, introducing Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, in comments flagged by The Daily Beast.
The moment quickly turned awkward as Trump fumbled the introduction.
"The president of the Congo… president… president, would you stand up please." Trump never conjured up Tshisekedi's name, instead repeatedly calling the dignitary "brave."
The White House dismissed the apparent gaffe as a "stupid" story, but the Beast noted this wasn't Trump's first stumble with the African leader. In August, he called the country the "Republic of Condo" while bragging about brokering a peace deal. In December, Trump spent several awkward seconds struggling to pronounce Tshisekedi's name.
Le président américain Donald Trump qualifie le président Félix Tshisekedi d’un « vrai président, homme courageux et merveilleux » lors de la 74ᵉ édition du National Prayer Breakfast. Il a ensuite demandé au président Félix Tshisekedi de l’appeler « pour quoi que ce soit »,… pic.twitter.com/SXqdcQBCwQ
— Marcel Kitambala (@KitambalaMarcel) February 5, 2026