Donald Trump, the 79-year-old president, was recently observed appearing to nod off during a roundtable discussion on crime and public safety in Memphis, Tennessee, on Monday, March 23. While U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was delivering remarks, the president’s eyes were visibly closed. In a particularly striking moment, even as Bondi turned to face him, Trump maintained his closed eyes, leaning his head in her general direction.
‘They’ll Catch Me With the Blink’
This recent incident brings to mind previous statements made by Trump himself, where he suggested that any photographic evidence of him appearing to sleep in public was merely a result of him briefly closing his eyes. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal back in January, Trump addressed accusations of falling asleep during official duties, explaining his actions as a simple, brief moment of rest.
“I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me,” he stated. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink.” This explanation suggests a deliberate, albeit brief, closing of his eyes that he claims is misinterpreted by the media.
Concerns Over Cognitive Fitness
Trump’s apparent struggles to remain alert in public settings have fuelled speculation among some observers regarding his mental fitness to hold the office of president. However, the Trump administration has consistently refuted these concerns. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Vice President J.D. Vance, among others, have publicly lauded his “unmatched energy” and robust health.
Beyond the observable moments of apparent fatigue, the public has also noted other physical observations, such as what have been described as “bulging cankles” and bruised hands. More recently, a mysterious neck rash has also drawn attention.
President Trump’s Claims of Peak Health
Amidst ongoing speculation about his declining health, President Trump has been vocal in asserting his excellent physical condition. At a St. Patrick’s Day event on Tuesday, March 17, he reiterated a claim previously made by his former White House physician, Texas Congressman Ronny Jackson (R), that Trump is the “healthiest” president in history.
The Republican leader recounted a conversation with Jackson: “I’ll never forget, they said, ‘Who’s the healthiest president?’ Because he covered [Barack] Obama. He covered some others — I don’t want to say who. And Trump. He said ‘By far, Trump. There’s nobody even close.'”
A Long Life Predicted?
Further underscoring his confidence in his own vitality, Trump, who was approaching his 80th birthday in June, referenced Dr. Jackson again just days later. Speaking at an event honouring the U.S. Naval Academy football team on March 20, the commander-in-chief shared that Jackson had informed him he could potentially live to be 200 years old, provided he adopted a healthier diet. This statement is made despite Trump’s own acknowledged aversion to exercise, which he finds “boring,” and his well-documented penchant for fast food, particularly McDonald’s.
Questionable Dietary Habits
Even figures within his administration have expressed surprise at Trump’s ability to maintain his health given his dietary choices. In a January interview, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., identified as Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary in the original text, voiced his astonishment.
“I don’t know how he’s alive,” Kennedy Jr. admitted. “The interesting thing about the president is that he eats really bad food, which is McDonald’s and then you know KFC and Diet Coke, but he has the constitution of a deity, I don’t know how he’s alive, but he is.” This observation highlights a perceived contradiction between Trump’s lifestyle and his reported good health.
