President Donald Trump, 79, drew scrutiny after appearing to nod off multiple times during a lengthy Cabinet meeting at the White House, despite insisting moments earlier that he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago.” The incident has reignited concerns about the president’s stamina and health, particularly as he serves as the oldest person ever elected to the presidency.
The Cabinet meeting, which lasted almost two and a half hours, took place in the Cabinet Room on Dec. 2, 2025. Multiple photographers captured Trump with his eyes closed for extended periods, with The Washington Post calculating that the president had closed his eyes for nearly six cumulative minutes during the session.
Trump used the meeting to complain about media focus on his health, firing off his usual insult about former President Joe Biden before questioning why reporters weren’t more interested in his border policies. He told assembled media members that he sits through multiple news conferences daily and always gives the right answers, adding that there’s never a scandal or problem.
Despite his protests, cameras captured Trump struggling to stay alert while his Cabinet members praised him. While Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed what he called the most transformational year in American foreign policy since World War II, Trump rolled his head forward and closed his eyes. The president had spent the previous night on Dec. 1 posting over 160 times on Truth Social, which may have contributed to his apparent exhaustion.
At one point, Trump appeared to doze off as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth spoke during the meeting. Photographers also caught Trump with Band-Aids on his right hand. He has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition described in a medical report released on July 17 as benign and common in individuals over 70.
California Governor Gavin Newsom seized on the moment, posting a video of the sleepy Trump with the caption “DOZY DON IS BACK!” The nickname plays on Trump’s frequent characterization of Biden as “Sleepy Joe” throughout his presidency.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back against suggestions that Trump was sleeping. She stated that the president was listening attentively and running the entire Cabinet meeting, pointing to his final answer in the press conference where he criticized Democrats.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Trump dozed during a press conference about weight-loss drugs featuring Dr. Mehmet Oz in November. He also nodded off during a Dec. 10 roundtable and jolted awake during another roundtable event at the White House. Trump was previously caught nodding off during a summit in Saudi Arabia in May. During one press conference, a man fainted behind Trump while the president was speaking.
The pattern has begun registering with voters. An Axios focus group of 14 swing voters in North Carolina found that 11 of 14 participants had heard about Trump’s sleep issues. The voters expressed concerns about his age and health, with some drawing comparisons to Biden’s situation during his presidency.
Author Michael Wolff revealed during a podcast appearance that Trump’s aides are in a constant state of panic about their boss dozing off on camera. According to Wolff, when Trump gets caught sleeping, he blames the people around him rather than acknowledging the issue. Nobody knows what to do because they can’t jostle him while he’s on camera, Wolff explained.
The president’s sleep habits have been a topic of discussion among his team. Attorney General Pam Bondi said Trump sleeps only four to five hours nightly, well below the seven to nine hours recommended for men his age. Despite the mounting evidence and voter concerns, Trump has continued to dismiss questions about his health. His administration has maintained that he remains in excellent overall health and possesses unmatched energy.
The incidents have sparked broader discussions about presidential fitness and the demanding nature of the office. As the oldest person to serve as president, Trump faces heightened scrutiny over his ability to maintain the stamina required for the role, particularly as Cabinet members regularly heap praise on his tireless work ethic while cameras capture moments that suggest otherwise.
