WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump came under renewed scrutiny over his health on Tuesday after video footage showed him closing his eyes multiple times during a three-hour cabinet meeting. The 79-year-old, the oldest man elected US president, appeared to doze while top officials praised his leadership, prompting questions about his stamina and alertness.
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Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, strongly rejected claims that he was sleeping. She said the president “was listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon meeting,” adding that he delivered an “amazing” response at the end when discussing Somali immigrants.
Well FAKE NEWS actually is that Trump is a picture of health. He is in deep decline and it’s incredibly hard to dispute it when he’continues to fall asleep during meetings.pic.twitter.com/F4flPIYlrD
— Dede Watson (@Dede_Watson) December 3, 2025
At the start of the meeting, Trump brushed off concerns over his energy levels, telling reporters that he had “aced” a cognitive health test and claiming he was “sharper than [he was] 25 years ago.” Yet footage showed him closing his eyes for stretches while cabinet members listed administration achievements, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing Trump as the “only leader in the world” capable of ending the Ukraine war.
WTF! It happened again! 😳 Trump fell asleep during today’s cabinet meeting. He is physically and cognitively deteriorating right before our eyes. Trump is not fit to be the president. pic.twitter.com/eohxqSGe4H
— Make it Stop! – Liberty and Justice for All 💙 (@mcarr2021) December 3, 2025
The incident follows earlier appearances this year where Trump was seen with his eyes closed during official events. The focus on his health intensified after reports indicated he had significantly reduced public events, travel, and working hours compared to his first term. Critics and late-night hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel, seized on the cabinet footage to mock the president, highlighting the contrast with his frequent attacks on President Joe Biden’s fitness.
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White House aides defended Trump, framing the scrutiny as politically motivated and comparing it to media coverage of Biden during his presidency. Nevertheless, the president’s physical and cognitive health remains a global concern, given the high-pressure demands of the office, and the cabinet meeting episode has reignited public debate about his age and endurance in the role.