Donald Trump addressed renewed scrutiny over his behavior during Cabinet meetings after a viral clip appeared to show him with his eyes closed. The president responded to the footage by explaining his conduct during lengthy meetings and rejecting claims that he was sleeping.
Donald Trump said this about cabinet meeting amid viral sleeping clip
During an interview with New York Magazine and remarks to The Wall Street Journal, Donald Trump addressed viral clips suggesting he had fallen asleep during official meetings, stating, “It’s boring as hell; I’m going around a room, and I’ve got 28 guys — the last one was three and a half hours.”
Trump added, “I have to sit back and listen, and I move my hand so that people will know I’m listening. I’m hearing every word, and I can’t wait to get out.” In response to the same footage, he told The Wall Street Journal, “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking… they’ll catch me with the blink,” adding that closing his eyes is “very relaxing to me.”
White House officials defended Trump’s behavior. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said he’s “actively listening” during meetings. Staff Secretary Will Scharf stated, “He’s always awake, always alert, always knows what’s going on.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported this, saying it was a “listening mechanism.” He also shared examples of Trump’s attention to detail, including noticing missing chandelier medallions and gifting Rubio a new pair of shoes.
In response to concerns about his health, Trump blamed his doctors for encouraging a scan, saying, “It was the worst f—ing thing I ever did, and I blame them.” Col. James Jones said the scan was a computerized tomography exam, not an MRI, and that the results were “perfect.” Trump said, “I got an MRI. It was perfect,” and denied any issues.
Trump also dismissed suggestions of mental decline, saying, “I took a cognitive test, and I aced it.” Captain Sean Barbabella and Jones confirmed, “His health is excellent.” Trump attributed his condition to genetics: “Genetically, I’m in great shape… No heart disease in my family. No this, no that.”
