Trump seen nodding off next to Melania at Pentagon ceremony

White House: Trump was 'solemnly paying his respects'

US President Donald Trump attends the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]
US President Donald Trump attends the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]

US President Donald Trump stirred controversy after being caught on camera closing his eyes and nodding his head during the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks.

According to The Daily Beast, cameras captured Trump closing his eyes and moving his head back and forth for an extended period while the names of victims were read aloud and bells tolled during the memorial ceremony at the Pentagon, where he was seated beside his wife, Melania.

US President Donald Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump attend the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon courtyard in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]
US President Donald Trump (left) and first lady Melania Trump attend the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon courtyard in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]

The footage spread rapidly online. The outlet said social media users piled on with criticism, with comments such as "he's napping at a memorial" and "he can't even keep his eyes open."

Trump had been keeping a grueling schedule in the days leading up to the ceremony. He delivered a 106-minute speech at the Republican National Convention in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, followed by additional engagements the following evening. He then returned to Washington to attend Friday's memorial.

US President Donald Trump appears to doze during the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]
US President Donald Trump appears to doze during the 25th anniversary commemoration of the Sept. 11 attacks at the Pentagon in Washington on Friday (local time). [AFP]

Trump also delivered remarks at the ceremony, saying "we will never forget" and vowing that Iran would never have a nuclear weapon.

This is not the first time Trump has appeared to doze off in public. He was also caught on camera appearing to fall asleep at the funeral of his close ally, the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, in July.

Some medical experts have raised health concerns, pointing to Trump's significant weight gain.

According to The Washington Post, a medical report released by the White House in May listed his weight at approximately 108 kilograms. Given Trump's height of about 190 centimeters, his current body mass index is approaching the threshold for obesity.

Trump weighed approximately 97 kilograms according to booking records when he was arrested in Georgia in August 2023 on election interference charges. A medical checkup in April last year put his weight at 101.6 kilograms.

Medical experts said the weight gain could raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension and other chronic conditions. Scott Kahan, a physician at George Washington University, said "addressing obesity to protect the president's health should be as much of a priority as securing his Secret Service protection."

The White House flatly denied that Trump had fallen asleep. White House spokesperson Davis Engle said "President Trump was listening and solemnly paying his respects to the victims and first responders," adding that "any suggestion that the president fell asleep is false."

In an era when a single word from Donald Trump can shake global markets, keeping up with the flood of Trump news is no easy task. The Herald Business international desk — on the move from 5 a.m. — curates the essential Trump stories affecting US markets and global assets, delivering them in a one-minute read. Subscribe to the daily newsletter at the Herald Business website.


yckim6452@heraldcorp.com