Trump roasted for calling out ‘Sleepy Joe’ Biden and then appearing to nod off

President Donald Trump drew ridicule after he used his familiar insult, "Sleepy Joe Biden," and then seemed to doze off at a public event. While announcing a $15 billion steel plant in Iowa, which he said should start production in 2030 and create 1,750 permanent jobs, Trump sat at the Resolute Desk and claimed the project would never have happened under his predecessor. As other officials spoke, video and photographs showed his head tilted to the right and downward with his eyes closed, according to The Independent.

Hunter Biden, the former president's son, posted a screenshot on X asking "Sleepy who?" California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office account wrote that "President McConnell is looking great," a jab tied to Senator Mitch McConnell's recent frail appearance in Washington after weeks of recovery from a fall. Journalist Molly Jong-Fast joked that Trump seemed to nod off while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was talking, adding that Lutnick is "very very boring."

Critics have flagged similar moments repeatedly this year, including at an Oval Office event on the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, a Board of Peace meeting, a Memorial Day ceremony, an NBA Finals game, and a September 11 remembrance. The White House told The Independent at that time that Trump was "solemnly listening." Chief of Staff Susie Wiles told Vanity Fair he "is not sleeping." Trump has told the Wall Street Journal he is simply blinking. The White House has been asked for comment on the latest episode.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →