WASHINGTON — A White House press conference turned chaotic on Thursday after President Donald Trump appeared to briefly fall asleep during a live broadcast, while another attendee collapsed nearby.
The event, held to announce plans for lowering the cost of weight loss drugs, featured Dr. Mehmet Oz speaking from the podium as Trump sat behind the Resolute Desk. Viewers watching on C-SPAN noted that the president appeared drowsy, leaning back in his chair with his eyes half-closed and blinking slowly.
Social media quickly filled with reactions questioning whether the president had fallen asleep.
“When Joe [Biden] looks sleepy — fury. When Donald is knocked out on live TV — ‘masterful gambit,’” one viewer posted on X.
Another added: “He looks like he is out cold. Could you imagine what Fox and the Republicans would say if Joe had a press conference and did this?”
The situation escalated when an attendee standing behind Trump suddenly fainted and was caught by two others. Dr. Oz was seen stepping away from the podium to assist as Secret Service agents moved reporters out of the room.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed the individual was a representative from Eli Lilly, one of the pharmaceutical companies involved in the proposed pricing plan.
“The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay,” Leavitt said in a statement.
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks also issued a reassurance, telling reporters: “If you’ve ever been in the Oval Office, you stand a long time and it’s warm. The White House medical staff did a great job, and he’s doing fine.”
The unusual episode came as Trump faced questions over his health, with reports resurfacing from a former physician who claimed the president’s use of prescription drugs had “shortened his lifespan.” The White House has not commented on those claims.
The conference was not resumed after the incident.
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