Donald Trump accused of napping during Oval Office American Beef event: It’s ‘bedtime’ for ‘Sleepy Don,’ critics say
President Donald Trump is facing another round of accusations that he fell asleep during an official White House event after cameras captured him repeatedly closing his eyes as members of his administration discussed the American beef industry, Wonderwall.com can report.
Trump, 80, was seated behind the Resolute Desk on September 4 alongside Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and ranchers from around the country after signing two executive orders aimed at supporting U.S. ranchers and meat producers.
As Rollins spoke, the president could be seen repeatedly blinking and closing his eyes, at times for extended stretches.
The moment caught the attention of Trump’s critics online, who revived a nickname the president famously used to taunt former President Joe Biden.
“Sleepy Don is on the job,” one person wrote on X.
Another declared it was “Bedtime for Grandpa.”
Critics accuse Trump of napping as others defend the president
Video footage from the event gave social media users plenty of material.
“Now we know why Trump called Biden Sleepy Joe as the real sleepy one is himself,” one person wrote.
“Every time he says ‘Sleepy Joe Biden’ I giggle!” another added.
Others were more cutting.
“I don’t mind him sleeping, I mind that he keeps waking up,” one critic wrote.
“He bores himself,” another joked.
Trump appears to fall asleep in the Oval Office Again. pic.twitter.com/FIxWu0Wz25
— Donk Media ♻️™ (@donkoclock) September 4, 2026
One person took a political swipe at the president, writing, “I guess it’s exhausting destroying 250 years of democracy, Comatose Conman.”
But not everyone who watched the footage believed Trump had fallen asleep.
“No no no no!!!! He’s not sleeping!!! His eyes aren’t closed!!!!! He is just resting you stupid liberal!!! He works 20 hours a day!!!!” one defender insisted.
“Why are people always saying he’s falling asleep he’s not sleeping he’s listening to what they’re saying,” another wrote.
Trump’s eyes close as Rollins talks about Biden
The moment unfolded as Rollins discussed the executive orders Trump had just signed concerning American meat producers.
One order directs federal officials to review policies affecting ranchers and take steps involving wolf protections and country-of-origin labeling for beef. The second addresses competition in livestock markets and seeks to expand market access for smaller meat producers.
At one point during her remarks, Rollins invoked Trump’s predecessor while discussing challenges facing farmers and ranchers in 2023.
“That was the year that we began to import more food for the first time, under Joe Biden,” she said.
Trump’s eyes briefly opened before appearing to close again as Rollins continued speaking, The Daily Beast reported.
Trump has faced at least 22 dozing claims
Trump’s September 4 Oval Office appearance was hardly the first time he’s faced questions about whether he was falling asleep during an official event.
The Daily Beast has documented at least 22 occasions when Trump has appeared to doze off during public events.
Just days earlier, during an August 31 Oval Office event on prescription drug prices, Trump was again photographed and filmed with his eyes closed while members of his administration spoke.
The White House has pushed back against previous claims that the president was sleeping during official appearances.
“President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, relentless work ethic and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the last administration when Democrats and the legacy media intentionally covered up Joe Biden’s serious mental and physical decline from the American people,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said.
“President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health,” Ingle added.
Daughter-in-law says the president sleeps just ‘three or four hours a night’
During an appearance on the “Planet Tyrus” podcast, Lara Trump said she and her father-in-law have something in common when it comes to their sleeping habits.
“I truly probably do not sleep enough, but I actually kind of find that I’m a little like the president. He sleeps maybe three or four hours a night,” she said.
“Now, I need a little bit more than that,” Lara continued. “But I think there are some people that can do with less.”