Donald Trump is reportedly very upset about recent stories saying his health might be getting worse especially because those stories compare him to Joe Biden.
Trump has often bragged that he works nonstop and has mocked Biden for looking tired, calling him “Sleepy Joe.” But now, after Trump was seen appearing to fall asleep during a Cabinet meeting, people are turning that nickname back on him.
News articles from major outlets have pointed out that Trump seemed to doze off, and that has made him angry. One person who knows Trump said that he can get stuck thinking about news reports that make him look bad for days at a time. Advisers around him say he is especially bothered when reporters he already dislikes draw any comparison between him and Biden, even if they don’t directly mention Biden.
During a Cabinet meeting in early December, Trump looked like he was fighting to stay awake. Photos and videos showed him leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed while other officials were speaking.
When the Commerce Secretary talked, Trump seemed to completely shut his eyes. When the Secretary of State was speaking and even offered Trump praise, Trump barely reacted, staring downward and shifting around in his seat. At one moment he quickly opened his eyes wide, then went back to looking down.
His political rivals have noticed his sleepy moments too. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office posted a mocking message online, showing three photos of Trump with his eyes closed, each one placed in a frame designed to look like the “Presidential Walk of Fame.” Instead of honoring him, the frames read “Recently,” “Yesterday,” and “Today,” suggesting Trump is constantly nodding off. The post jokingly called it the “Presidential Walk of Fatigue.”
People have also noticed bandages on Trump’s hands, adding to the questions about his health. Still, Trump insists he is perfectly fine. He recently told reporters that he had an MRI scan and said he would gladly share the results.
But when pressed about what part of his body was scanned, he claimed he had no idea. He loudly insisted the test wasn’t for his brain, saying he already passed a cognitive test with a perfect score. He even insulted a journalist during that moment, saying she would never be able to do as well as he did.
A medical professional interviewed by reporters said that a patient always knows which body part is being scanned during an MRI, because the technician explains the process beforehand. That comment raised even more doubts about Trump’s statement.
Trump has always tried to present himself as strong, energetic, and sharp especially compared to Biden. Now that photos and reports are showing him looking tired or confused, he seems to be taking the criticism very personally.
The situation has turned into a new political battle, with Trump trying to brush off the concerns while rivals and reporters continue to question what is really going on with his health.
