Donald Trump, the 78-year-old U.S. president, was captured dozing off during an official event while on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. The scene has spread across social media (SNS), leading to various mockery, including the nickname 'Sleepy Don.'
According to foreign media such as The Daily Beast and Times of India on the 13th (local time), President Trump was live-streamed via Fox News appearing to doze off while sitting in a chair during a signing ceremony held at the royal palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sitting in a chair, President Trump held his head upright with his eyes closed, and after seeming to wake up, he opened his eyes wide and then repeated the process of remaining still for a few seconds with his eyes closed. When an official next to President Trump spoke to him, he suddenly nodded and spoke while closing his eyes again.
Saudi Arabia is 7 hours ahead of Washington, D.C.
Various social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), have seen the spread of videos and photos capturing the scene, leading to a flood of memes and ridicule. One internet user shared a video of President Trump fighting off sleep, sarcastically saying, 'Trump cannot stay awake, and he must have no idea what is going on.'
In particular, U.S. internet users mocked President Trump, referencing his 'age attacks' against former President Joe Biden. During the last presidential election, President Trump used the nickname 'Sleepy Joe' to describe Biden after the former president was seen dozing during a public event.
Users who benchmarked this situation shared the video, coining nicknames such as 'Sleepy Don' and 'Dozing Don.' One internet user remarked, 'If it were Biden, reporting about his cognitive state and stamina would be relentless,' adding, 'Where is the media's outrage?'