The White House is pushing back against renewed speculation about President Donald Trump’s health and energy levels after videos circulated online appearing to show the 79-year-old president nodding off during an Oval Office event.
Trump was hosting a discussion on maternal health alongside Cabinet members, Alabama Senator Katie Britt, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz when social media users began sharing clips and photos showing the president with his eyes closed for extended periods.
As the images spread online, the White House’s rapid response team issued a blunt defense of the president.
“He was blinking, you absolute moron,” the official White House rapid response account posted on X in response to a Reuters photograph showing Trump with his eyes shut.
The administration later repeated the same explanation when asked about video footage that appeared to show the president briefly drifting off during the event.
He was blinking, you absolute moron https://t.co/7gw3n7l8R3
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 11, 2026
Videos Fuel Online Debate
The controversy intensified after Democratic Congressman Ted Lieu shared one of the clips online, mocking the White House response.
“That is a verrrrrrrrryyyyy long blink,” Lieu wrote alongside footage showing Trump with his eyes closed for roughly 17 seconds.
The White House did not directly address the longer video clips afterward, though communications director Steven Cheung sharply criticized Lieu personally in response.
“Ted Lewd is a loser of the highest order,” Cheung said, accusing the California Democrat of suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
The incident quickly became another flashpoint in the ongoing political debate surrounding the president’s age, stamina, and public appearances.
Dear @RapidResponse47: That is a verrrrrrrrryyyyy long blink.
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) May 11, 2026
pic.twitter.com/hf744367S4 https://t.co/ic1GIuZaCa
Trump Has Faced Similar Questions Before
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny over appearing tired or inattentive during public events.
Similar moments have circulated online repeatedly throughout recent months, including during meetings, speeches, and White House appearances earlier this year.
The issue has also drawn attention because Trump spent years mocking former President Joe Biden with the nickname “Sleepy Joe,” frequently questioning Biden’s physical and mental stamina during the 2020 and 2024 campaigns.
Trump has previously denied falling asleep in public.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal earlier this year, he argued that photos showing his eyes closed were simply taken while blinking or resting his eyes.
“It’s very relaxing to me,” Trump said at the time. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking.”
The president has also long been known for maintaining an unusually limited sleep schedule.
Reports Suggest Trump Sleeps Very Little
Several journalists and former aides have previously described Trump as someone who functions on only a few hours of sleep per night.
A recent analysis of Trump’s overnight social media activity suggested the president often posts late into the night and again early in the morning, leaving little time for uninterrupted sleep.
CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins previously described Trump’s habits during overseas travel, saying the president rarely sleeps even during long international flights.
“He doesn’t sleep on these trips,” Collins said during a podcast interview, adding that Trump would sometimes wake staff members on Air Force One because he wanted to continue conversations.
The renewed focus on Trump’s energy levels comes as the president prepares for another demanding international trip involving meetings in Asia and ongoing tensions tied to conflicts in the Middle East.
Age and Health Remain Major Political Issues
Questions surrounding presidential age and health continue shaping political discussions in Washington as both parties face scrutiny over aging leadership figures.
Trump, who turns 80 next year, has repeatedly insisted he remains in strong physical and mental condition.
The White House has frequently contrasted Trump’s public schedule and speaking style with criticisms previously directed at Biden, whose reelection campaign collapsed amid growing concerns about his age and cognitive sharpness.
Still, viral clips involving Trump continue fueling online debate from both supporters and critics.
While opponents argue the videos raise legitimate concerns about fatigue and health, allies insist the moments are being exaggerated or selectively edited for political purposes.
For now, the White House appears determined to dismiss the latest controversy as nothing more than unfortunate camera timing.
Featured Image screenshot from Youtube: The Economic Times