White House denies Trump fell asleep during high-stakes Saudi meeting as online video fuels fresh criticism.
On social media, Trump’s closed-eye moment in saudi arabia sparks sleep debate and political backlash
Trump begins his middle east tour with a$600 billion investment pledge from saudi arabia.
President Donald Trump has launched his first major foreign trip of his second presidency, beginning in Saudi Arabia on May 13.
He announced a landmark $600 billion investment commitment from the Saudi government to the U.S. economy.
The trip includes stops in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, focusing on trade, defense, and regional partnerships.
Trump’s goal is to increase total investments from Gulf nations to more than $1 trillion in the coming years.
The visit marks a strategic shift in U.S. diplomacy, prioritizing the Middle East over traditional allies like Canada and Mexico.
A viral video shows Trump appearing to doze off during a royal court meeting
On X platfrom, a viral video was shared by a Democratic account on X shows President Trump sitting with eyes closed during the Saudi Royal Court meeting.
The moment lasted several seconds, long enough for viewers to count to “four Mississippi,” prompting claims he fell asleep.
Critics quickly seized on the footage, suggesting the president was disengaged during a critical diplomatic exchange.
The video quickly went viral across social media platforms.
It reignited conversations about Trump’s age, stamina, and overall fitness for office. Critics argue the moment damages the credibility of his Middle East agenda. They also say it weakens his image as a strong leader on the international stage.
White House denies trump fell asleep during Saudi Arabia meeting
After the video captured moment Donald Trump struggles to keep eyes open during Saudi Arabia meeting quickly went viral and sparked debate among viewers.
After the incident, The White House swiftly responded to the viral clip.
They insisted President Trump was “wide awake” during the Saudi meeting.
They called the video accusations ‘fake news”.
Spokesperson Anna Kelly said Trump was alert after securing the $600 billion deal and dismissed the claims as partisan spin.
“President Trump was wide awake after securing a $600 billion investment,” White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said
“This is nonsense that anyone with eyes can see is fake news,” Kelly said in a written statement to reporters.
She also criticized media outlets like USA TODAY for amplifying the video and misrepresenting Trump’s actions.
The administration continues to frame the trip as a diplomatic and economic win, despite growing distractions.
However, this is not the first time observers have accused Trump of falling asleep during major public appearances.
While attending his 2024 criminal trial in Manhattan, several reporters noted Trump appeared to nod off in court.
Though the White House downplays these incidents, critics point to a recurring pattern that raises concern.
The courtroom dozing reports echoed across media outlets, fueling skepticism about the president’s physical endurance.
Trump has not publicly addressed those earlier episodes but continues to campaign on strength and focus.
Irony sharpens as trump continues to mock joe biden as ‘sleepy joe’
Despite recent scrutiny, Trump still regularly mocks his former Democratic rival, Joe Biden, as “Sleepy Joe.”
Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 race after a poor debate performance, remains a target of Trump’s jabs.
In a March interview on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Trump said, “He’s sleeping within minutes. I could never do that.”
The nickname “Sleepy Joe” has become a staple of Trump’s campaign rhetoric since the 2020 election.
Observers say the latest incident weakens that narrative and opens Trump to charges of hypocrisy.
However, Trump’s trip to the Middle East underscores a shift in U.S. alliances and foreign policy priorities.
Trump’s decision to prioritize the Middle East over North American neighbors signals a shift in U.S. foreign policy focus.
The countries on his itinerary—Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE—are among the wealthiest and most influential in the region.
They invest heavily in defense, technology, and U.S.-based infrastructure, aligning with Trump’s America-first economic goals.
Ahead of the trip, Trump floated the idea of renaming the Persian Gulf as the “Arabian Gulf,” stirring international discussion.
He is also expected to accept a $400 million luxury Boeing 747-8 from Qatar to serve as his presidential jet.