The Trump administration has released a strong statement following an incident where President Donald Trump appeared to doze off in front of the cameras. Officials have dismissed this portrayal as ‘garbage’.
President Trump, who has often criticized his predecessor with the nickname ‘Sleepy Joe,’ faced widespread mockery on social media when he seemed to nod off during a significant Oval Office session. The session focused on the cost of weight loss medications, drawing a quick jab from California Governor Gavin Newsom who posted on X, “DOZY DON IS BACK.”
Now, older than Biden was when he took office in 2020, Trump appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open while Dr Oz, the head of Medicare services, spoke about plans to reduce the price of weight loss drugs for Americans.
During the announcement, Dr Oz remarked, “People can sleep again, because they can breathe when they go to bed,” as Trump seemed to struggle to stay alert.
The White House, however, has firmly denied claims that Trump fell asleep, emphasizing his active participation in the discussion, although they did not clarify why his eyes appeared closed and his head reclined.
“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,” stated the official response.
If the announced measures are implemented, the monthly cost for orally administered GLP-1 weight loss medications will decrease to $149, with injectable options expected to be priced at $249.
In a statement to CNN, the administration criticized ‘liberal’ media for focusing on the president’s perceived nap instead of the policy’s potential benefits: “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.”
This wasn’t the only unexpected event during recent White House announcements. A pharmaceuticals executive suddenly fainted in the Oval Office, capturing media attention.
Amidst the chaos, images circulated online showing Trump standing by while Dr Oz and others attended to the executive. Health Secretary RFK Jr. was seen moving out of the frame as others assisted the man.
Dr Oz later assured that the executive had recovered after receiving medical care.