President Donald Trump firmly stated, “I’m not a sleeper,” during an Oval Office meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, in response to viral videos showing him seemingly dozing off during a White House event earlier in the month. The 79-year-old president made these remarks while hosting the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, amid increasing criticism regarding his apparent drowsiness during official proceedings.
The issue arose after Trump appeared with his eyes closed at a press conference on Thursday, November 6, focused on weight loss drug prices. During this event, Trump was recorded slumped in his chair, eyes shut, as Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, spoke next to him. The footage quickly spread across social media, earning Trump the nicknames “Sleepy Don” and “Dozy Don” from critics who recalled his previous attacks on former President Joe Biden for similar behavior.
In response to a question from a Saudi reporter about his time management during Tuesday’s meeting, Trump addressed the criticism by comparing his work habits with those of MBS. “He does not sleep much, and I don’t sleep much. I think we have the same schedule,” Trump replied, noting that both leaders were too occupied “thinking about our countries” to rest. Trump has previously stated that he usually sleeps only three to four hours per night.
Trump then shifted his focus to attacking Biden, who is now 83, claiming the former president “sleeps all the time, during the day, during the night, on the beach.” Observers noted the irony of Trump’s criticism, given his frequent use of the “Sleepy Joe” nickname against Biden during and after the 2024 campaign. Trump now faces similar scrutiny as the oldest president to hold office.
The November 6 event attracted further attention when a man fainted in the Oval Office during the livestreamed announcement, prompting Dr. Oz to rush across the room to assist him. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed the man’s well-being. Nevertheless, the incident was overshadowed by images of Trump appearing to sleep through parts of the event.
California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly used the footage to mock Trump, calling him “Dozy Don” in social media posts featuring images of the president slumped in his chair. The November 6 incident was not the first time Trump had been caught on camera with his eyes closed during a significant event. Reports indicate he appeared to nod off during a visit to Saudi Arabia in May.
The White House asserted that Trump was not sleeping during the November 6 event, emphasizing that he “spoke throughout and took many questions from the press during this announcement, which represents a historic reduction in prices for Americans on two drugs that help Americans struggling with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other conditions.”
Despite visual evidence to the contrary, Trump’s allies have defended his stamina and work ethic. Vice President JD Vance stated that Trump “does not have an off switch,” while Pam Bondi remarked that “no one can keep up with” the president. Tulsi Gabbard described Trump as “absolutely tireless.” These supporters highlight Trump’s routine of making late-night and early-morning calls as proof of his continuous work schedule.
During the meeting with MBS, Trump elaborated on his sleeping habits, claiming he and the Saudi crown prince “talk at night” at the “craziest times.”
ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl offered a different perspective on Trump’s behavior during a podcast appearance, suggesting that the president “almost acts like a guy that feels like he’s running out of time,” given his age and lifestyle. “He’s 79 years old. He doesn’t really exercise. His diet isn’t exactly the model diet,” Karl said, adding that the president is known for taking calls at unusual hours, sometimes before 7 a.m. or late at night.
The sleep controversy raises broader questions about presidential stamina and age, themes central to the 2024 campaign. Trump frequently criticized Biden’s mental acuity and energy levels, making it a key aspect of his political messaging. Now, Trump faces similar criticisms. The recurring images of Trump seemingly nodding off during official events have fueled arguments from critics that the presidency’s demands may be affecting the 79-year-old leader.
As Trump enters his second term, scrutiny of his alertness during public appearances persists. The White House consistently refutes any suggestion that Trump sleeps on the job, yet the visual evidence continues to be widely circulated on social media and cable news, maintaining the “Sleepy Don” narrative among his detractors.
