President Donald Trump drew widespread attention during Sen. Lindsey Graham’s funeral after video from the service spread online. Clips circulating on social media prompted debate over whether the president briefly nodded off while attending the memorial.
Donald Trump appears to fall asleep at Lindsey Graham’s funeral
President Donald Trump attended the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham on Tuesday at Washington National Cathedral alongside U.S. officials and international dignitaries. During the service, videos shared online appeared to show the 80-year-old president repeatedly closing his eyes while seated in the front row, leading many social media users to speculate that he struggled to stay awake throughout parts of the ceremony.
The footage quickly fueled online reactions, with critics drawing comparisons to Trump’s past attacks on former President Joe Biden. Several users pointed to Trump’s longtime use of the nickname “Sleepy Joe.” Others questioned the president’s alertness during such a high-profile event, while some defended him by noting that long church services can naturally leave attendees tired.
The White House strongly rejected suggestions that Trump had fallen asleep. Responding to questions, spokesperson Davis Ingle told The Independent the president was mourning the loss of “his dear friend” after delivering a eulogy and dismissed claims to the contrary.
Earlier this year, Trump’s health also became the subject of public discussion after CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner commented on the president’s apparent daytime drowsiness. At the time, the White House pushed back, describing Trump as energetic and criticizing what it called politically motivated medical speculation. Trump has also maintained that he remains in “perfect” health despite continued public scrutiny.
The funeral honored Graham, the influential South Carolina Republican who died earlier this month from an aortic rupture. During his remarks, Trump remembered the senator as a respected statesman and a towering figure in the Senate while acknowledging Graham’s reputation as a strong foreign policy advocate. The ceremony also marked a political transition, as Graham’s sister, Sen. Darline Graham, attended the service after receiving the appointment to complete his term.
