Gov. Gavin Newsom threw fuel on the political fire this week by posting a video that appeared to catch President Donald Trump nodding off during his own cabinet meeting. The timing? Secretary of State Marco Rubio was literally praising Trump's leadership on Ukraine at that exact moment.
The Drowsy Moment That Went Viral
The clip Newsom shared on Tuesday shows Rubio delivering an update on the Ukraine conflict, commending Trump's push for a negotiated resolution. "The president is trying to end it... he's the only leader in the world that can help end it," Rubio said, noting that envoy Steve Woodcoff was in Moscow "trying to find a way to end this war to save lives."
As Rubio continued his briefing, Trump appeared to close his eyes and lean back in his chair. Newsom's caption cut straight to the point: "Donald has fallen asleep in his own cabinet meeting."
Reporters Noted Multiple Drowsy Episodes
According to The New York Times, journalists present during the marathon two-hour and 18-minute session observed several moments when the 79-year-old president appeared to struggle with fatigue. At various points, Trump closed his eyes for extended periods, tilted his head back, or leaned forward with his eyelids shut while department heads delivered their portfolio updates.
The White House quickly dismissed suggestions that Trump had dozed off. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted he was "listening attentively and running the entire meeting," pointing to his lengthy and energetic remarks during a subsequent Q&A session where he sharply criticized Somali immigrants.
Political Fallout and Health Questions
Rep. Ted Lieu didn't hold back, calling Trump "not fit to be President" on X and mocking his apparent inability to stay awake during his own televised cabinet meeting.
The Republicans Against Trump account jumped on the hypocrisy angle, reminding everyone that Trump repeatedly criticized Biden for falling asleep on camera in 2024. They suggested the situation had entered "elder-abuse territory" and called for the Trump family to be held accountable.
The White House disclosed on Monday that Trump underwent heart and abdominal MRI scans on October 10 as part of an "advanced executive physical." According to the report, all results came back normal with no major health concerns detected.