Images of Trump appearing to close his eyes during Oval Office event spread across social media

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNN Politics

PUBLISHED Nov 8, 2025, 8:24 PM ET



President Donald Trump appears at an event on lowering drug prices in the Oval Office at the White House on November 6, 2025.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Images


Images of Donald Trump appearing to close his eyes at an Oval Office announcement this week rocketed around social media this weekend, with the president’s opponents seizing on the footage to raise questions about Trump’s on-the-job performance.

Trump was participating in an announcement Thursday about cutting prices for popular weight-loss drugs, speaking from behind the Resolute Desk alongside other officials.

At moments, Trump’s eyes appeared closed, and at others he seemed to struggle to keep them open. He rubbed his eyes at points. The images drew swift criticism from Trump’s critics. The press office for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one of the president’s top foils, posted images from the event and wrote: “DOZY DON IS BACK.”

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to CNN that “the President was not sleeping; in fact, he spoke throughout and took many questions from the press during this announcement which represents a historic reduction in prices for Americans on two drugs that help Americans struggling with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other conditions. This announcement by President Trump will save a significant amount of money and countless American lives, and yet the failing, liberal media want to push a garbage narrative instead of covering it.”

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/08/politics/trump-oval-office-event

[tanyev]

1. He was not sleeping! He was just resting his eyes!

Yeah, I used that a lot when I was five years old, too.

[Irish_Dem]

4. I remember Grandpa saying that when I was young and he was asleep in his chair.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. One of my mom's favorite sayings!

(now I know the feeling )

[LastDemocratInSC]

12. My father called those naps "planning sessions".

[Irish_Dem]

2. "Appearing" to close his eyes. The media is incapable of telling it like it is.

[QueerDuck]

9. And Mitch McConnell "appeared" to fall... and he "appeared" to stop talking mid sentence.

So... in conclusion... it APPEARS that they use these weasel words to avoid lawsuits that APPEAR to be coming from Trump. (Apparently.)

[GreenWave]

17. Exactly. They were either closed or they were open.

This is the same guy who fell asleep in court and has gotten worse.

[Irish_Dem]

18. And the media says allegedly when referring to Trump's crimes.

When we saw some of the crimes on TV ourselves.

[Girard442]

3. There was video. He was sawing wood. Everybody knows it.

[William Seger]

19. Oh, CNN knows it, for sure -- they just wanna give King #rump on out (nt)

[NotHardly]

20. Appearing" ... LOL... the lying media "can't stand the truth".

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Going lite on the orange foundation these days

[travelingthrulife]

6. These MAGA fools are so going to go through with this Weekend at Bernie's"

They will prop him up even as he turns green and mossy.

[NCDem47]

8. And it wasn't a one-off

He’s fallen asleep at NUMEROUS events.

Connect the dots media!

[Lonestarblue]

13. Why isn't the media demanding a mental test for Trump the way they did with Biden?

Rhetoric cal question. We know most of them are pro Trump and willing to help hide his dementia from the country, just as they did with Reagan’s second term. The media seems to think that Democrats need to be super-human and pure as spring water but it’s okay for Republicans to be charlatans and barely functioning.

[BumRushDaShow]

16. They are STILL harassing and insulting Biden

even with him going through cancer treatments.

I think they do that because every time we hit back, one of our own will start finger-wagging at the pushback, so we are perceived as "weak" instead of what we are - EMPATHETIC and CARING, but not in love with bullies and their bullying.

[Aviation Pro]

10. Resting his kid-fucker eyes?

When in any meeting your position says everything. Slumped with his fucking head nestled back means the fucking chomo was dead asleep.

[BlueWavePsych]

11. Mini stroke?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220785724

[PatSeg]

14. It is probable that he is on medication

That combined with his current health issues and age, would make anyone sleepy. Someone theorized that he may be on a new medication for dementia which is administered every two weeks intravenously (bruised hand) along with brain scans and cognitive tests.

Of course, it was just a theory, but it certainly matches what we're witnessing.

[C_U_L8R]

15. Apparently CNN has its eyes closed too

Or is it just pining for the fjords.

[eppur_se_muova]

21. I hope next he starts talking in his sleep ... might reveal a few things.

*snore* ... "Hey Jeffrey that was a hot one ! Reminds me of Ivanka !" *snore*

[eppur_se_muova]

22. That pic needs a big "404 Error" across it. nt

[LatteLady]

23. Title by arss kissers

Video shows him SLEEPING FOR 20 minutes!

Spineless arss kissing by media.

[twodogsbarking]

24. Does he interd to tear down the Oval Office? Just askin''.

[CTyankee]

25. with his dreaded turkey neck...

[Wiz Imp]

26. WTF? Appearing to close his eyes?????? Is the person who wrote this blind, stupid or evil?

There's no "appearing to". Trump unquestionably had his eyes closed for over 20 minutes during that press conference or meeting or whatever it was. One can legitimately question whether he was asleep or not (though evidence suggests about 99% likelihood that he was), but acting like it's debatable whether he even closed his eyes is beyond pathetic.