During a Board of Peace meeting Thursday at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump appeared inattentive and seemingly dozed off as the minister of foreign affairs of Kuwait delivered formal remarks.
Trump fidgeted in his seat and seemed disengaged while the minister spoke. As the remarks continued, the president’s posture slumped and his eyes closed. When the speech concluded and applause filled the room, Trump abruptly jolted upright—an unmistakable reaction that suggested he had drifted off.
The moment, while brief, was striking given the setting: a high-level diplomatic forum focused on international cooperation. The optics of the president appearing to fall asleep during a foreign official’s address are difficult to dismiss as trivial.
Trump’s Frequent Displays Of Cognitive Decline Challenge His Ability To Serve As President
Presidents routinely endure long schedules and demanding travel, and fatigue alone does not define fitness for office. But this incident adds to a growing list of public appearances in which Trump has seemed distracted, unfocused, or physically diminished. From rambling, off-topic remarks during his speeches to visible lapses in attention at formal proceedings, questions about stamina and cognitive sharpness are becoming harder to brush aside.
The presidency is not ceremonial. It demands sustained concentration, rational decision-making, and professionalism as expected from the highest office in the country—especially in diplomatic events featuring high-ranking officials from other countries. Falling asleep during a foreign minister’s speech, particularly at an event meant to project American leadership and dedication to peace, inevitably raises concerns about attentiveness and overall capacity.
Republicans in Congress will continue to ignore the elephant in the room, and supporters will likely dismiss this moment as media exaggeration. But for critics—and for voters watching closely—it reinforces broader anxieties about whether the president retains the physical and cognitive endurance required for the job.
