President Donald Trump was already facing severe criticism for a Middle East "peace talks" tour immediately after the government of Qatar moved to gift him a luxury $400 million Boeing 747. But that criticism kicked into high gear after he appeared to literally doze off during a critical briefing in Saudi Arabia.
Trump running out of energy and dozing off is nothing new — he famously appeared to do so even during his own criminal trial for business fraud in New York — but the moment, captured on camera, triggered a new wave of mockery.
"BREAKING: In a surreal and frankly humiliating moment, Donald Trump just fell asleep during his own briefing in Saudi Arabia," wrote Brian Allen of the Allenanalysis podcast. "This isn’t jet lag — it’s a walking security risk with a nap schedule. The man who calls himself 'sharp as ever' couldn’t even stay conscious."
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"Donald Trump appears to briefly fall asleep in Saudi Arabia," wrote podcaster Brian Krassenstein. "He's too old to be President. This is elder abuse."
In addition to mockery, many commenters expressed indignation over the fact that former President Joe Biden's cognitive ability, a major focal point of the 2024 election that ultimately forced his withdrawal from the race that is now the subject of an upcoming deep dive book, was questioned for far less on the campaign trail.
"Just imagine for a second how the media would have reacted if President Biden had dozed off like this," wrote former Long Island Obama campaign chair Jon Cooper.
"Donald Trump just fell asleep in a meeting in Saudi Arabia and Fox News is still talking about the health of Joe Biden," wrote health care activist Melanie D'Arrigo.
"BREAKING: Sleepy Don can barely keep his eyes open while representing the United States in Saudi Arabia," wrote the official account of Really American PAC. "If this were President Biden, there would be nonstop coverage of his cognitive condition and his physical fitness. Where is the media outrage?"