US President Donald Trump 's trip to Saudi Arabia gathered a lot of attention, but not for the reasons his team might have hoped.
While on a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, the 78-year-old US president was caught on camera with his eyes frequently closing during a special welcome ceremony held in his honour at the Saudi royal court, prompting many on the internet to wonder if he was feeling sleepy.
The incident quickly went viral, with social media users slamming Trump as “Sleepy Don" and "Dozey Don."
Netizens posted a range of comments, with some suggesting it was jet lag, while others responded by sharing clips of former US President Joe Biden in similar situations.
Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday as part of a four-day diplomatic mission, which he claims will bring billions in investments and trade agreements with Gulf nations. However, the US president was frequently seen with his eyes closed during the ceremony.
At the event, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, extended a warm welcome to Trump.
“Trump is having a hard time keeping his eyes open in Saudi Arabia,” tweeted reporter Aaron Rupar, sharing a video of Trump seemingly nodding off on X. Other users joined in, with one commenting, “Sleepy Don can barely keep his eyes open while representing the United States in Saudi Arabia. If this were President Biden, there would be nonstop coverage of his cognitive condition and physical fitness. Where is the media outrage?”
The White House did not comment immediately on the incident. It’s not the first time that Trump has faced allegations of dozing off in public, and the moment in Riyadh has reignited discussions about the president's age and stamina.
Trump’s predecessor, Biden, has been frequently mocked by Trump as “Sleepy Joe.” But now, some are questioning whether the same standard is being applied to Trump, particularly as he is set to become the oldest sitting US president during the final year of his second term.
A similar instance occurred during his 2024 hush money trial, where reporters in the courtroom claimed Trump appeared to fall asleep during the proceedings. In response, Trump denied the allegations in a post on Truth Social, writing, “I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!”
While on a diplomatic visit to the Middle East, the 78-year-old US president was caught on camera with his eyes frequently closing during a special welcome ceremony held in his honour at the Saudi royal court, prompting many on the internet to wonder if he was feeling sleepy.
The incident quickly went viral, with social media users slamming Trump as “Sleepy Don" and "Dozey Don."
Netizens posted a range of comments, with some suggesting it was jet lag, while others responded by sharing clips of former US President Joe Biden in similar situations.
BREAKING: Sleepy Don can barely keep his eyes open while representing the United States in Saudi Arabia. If this were President Biden, there would be nonstop coverage of his cognitive condition and his physical fitness.
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) May 13, 2025
Where is the media outrage?pic.twitter.com/A0NktZqJl6
Dozey Don.....
— Rick Lupinski (@lupinski) May 13, 2025
It’s called jet lag. You should try it.
— Milt Keynes (@MiltKeynes) May 13, 2025
Trump landed in Riyadh on Tuesday as part of a four-day diplomatic mission, which he claims will bring billions in investments and trade agreements with Gulf nations. However, the US president was frequently seen with his eyes closed during the ceremony.
At the event, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman , Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, extended a warm welcome to Trump.
“Trump is having a hard time keeping his eyes open in Saudi Arabia,” tweeted reporter Aaron Rupar, sharing a video of Trump seemingly nodding off on X. Other users joined in, with one commenting, “Sleepy Don can barely keep his eyes open while representing the United States in Saudi Arabia. If this were President Biden, there would be nonstop coverage of his cognitive condition and physical fitness. Where is the media outrage?”
Trump is having a hard time keeping his eyes open in Saudi Arabia pic.twitter.com/t465VZicR6
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 13, 2025
The White House did not comment immediately on the incident. It’s not the first time that Trump has faced allegations of dozing off in public, and the moment in Riyadh has reignited discussions about the president's age and stamina.
Trump’s predecessor, Biden, has been frequently mocked by Trump as “Sleepy Joe.” But now, some are questioning whether the same standard is being applied to Trump, particularly as he is set to become the oldest sitting US president during the final year of his second term.
A similar instance occurred during his 2024 hush money trial, where reporters in the courtroom claimed Trump appeared to fall asleep during the proceedings. In response, Trump denied the allegations in a post on Truth Social, writing, “I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!”
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