President Donald Trump encountered a moment of confusion at a prominent White House event on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, as he struggled to identify Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who were standing directly behind him during an Oval Office meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
The 79-year-old president welcomed Cook to the White House to announce Apple’s commitment to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing, increasing the tech company’s total investment pledge to $600 billion over four years. Cook presented Trump with a personalized glass ornament featuring a 24-karat gold base during the presentation.
As Trump began his remarks at the podium, he appeared to momentarily forget his cabinet members’ presence. “I’d like to welcome to the White House one of the great and most esteemed business leaders and geniuses and innovators anywhere in the world, Apple CEO Tim Cook,” Trump said. “Thanks as well to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for being here, wherever you may be.”
Lutnick, who stood directly behind Trump throughout the event, responded, “I’m right behind you,” which seemed to surprise Trump. The president then quipped, “Oh hey fellas, I missed you” upon realizing their proximity.
This is the second occurrence in recent weeks where Trump has appeared to lose track of attendees during official events. At a veterans bill signing ceremony on July 31, Trump struggled to locate lawmakers present for the occasion.
While signing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act into law, Trump was accompanied by the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost of Illinois. After speaking about the legislation for about two minutes, Trump paused mid-sentence and asked, “Where’s Derrick? Derrick?” despite Van Orden being just feet away.
Van Orden replied, “I’m here Sir,” prompting Trump to turn and acknowledge him. Trump then noticed Bost and added, “And Mike? How are you Mike?”
During Wednesday’s Apple event, Trump also made comments about Cook’s physical abilities. “Tim has just about every quality he can have other than athleticism. I don’t know about that. I’m looking at him. I’m not, I’m not 100% sure about you [being] a good athlete. I’ll bet you’re pretty good,” Trump said to the Apple executive.
The Apple investment announcement comes amid Trump’s threats to impose significant tariffs on semiconductors and other imported goods. Cook’s visit seemed aimed at securing favorable treatment for Apple amid the administration’s trade policies.
Apple’s expanded commitment includes establishing what Trump described as “the largest and most sophisticated smart glass production line in the world,” with plans to source cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch products from a Corning facility. The investment is part of Apple’s larger American Manufacturing Program.
At a White House ceremony on August 5, 2025, President Trump referred to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem as “Cristie Kerr,” confusing her with a professional golfer, and then laughing it off by noting that she’s “a better golfer than you”—an error widely interpreted as a senior moment.
Earlier this month, Trump falsely claimed that his uncle, John Trump, had taught the Unabomber at MIT—a statement impossible to be true since his uncle died in 1985 and the Unabomber was identified in 1996 and never attended MIT—prompting scholars to cite it as an example of confabulation.
Additionally, Trump recently alleged that the United States gave $60 million in aid to Gaza two weeks ago and that no other country had contributed—an assertion contradicted by actual aid from the U.K. and EU, which was widely reported and not acknowledged in his remarks.
Public health experts and media analysts have pointed to these and similar lapses—frequent digressions, incomplete thoughts, misremembered facts—as increasing signs that warrant serious concern about his cognitive acuity.
