As the spotlight remains fixed on Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial in New York, observers noted his apparent struggle to stay awake during jury selection. According to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, Trump’s head drooping and slackened mouth did not go unnoticed.
“Trump appears to be sleeping. His head keeps dropping down and his mouth goes slack,” Haberman reported.
This observation quickly spawned a flurry of online banter, with some suggesting his legal team may have administered a sedative or simply blaming it on his age.
“My theory: Trump’s legal team sedated him,” wrote Mother Jones DC bureau chief David Corn.
“Looks, he’s old. The judge is keeping Sleepy Don from his nap time,” Meidas Touch editor-in-chief Ron Filipkowski wrote.
Even the political satire group, the Lincoln Project, couldn’t resist adding a humorous spin, jokingly linking Trump’s courtroom siesta to his late-night online activities.
“#SleepyDon was up late rage-posting on Truth Social,” the account posted.
#SleepyDon was up late rage-posting on Truth Social https://t.co/yhjuNKH4nZ
— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) April 15, 2024
“If Sleepy Don is too low energy to stay awake during the first day of his criminal trial, does he even have the stamina to be President?” one user wrote.
“I prefer Presidents who don’t fall asleep before the lunch break in their hush money paid to a porn star election interference trial,” another mocked.
“‘Sleepy Joe’ is [a] projection, like everything else,” the account Republican Voters Against Trump replied.
References to Trump ally Mike Lindell further fueled the online hilarity.
“Where is the My Pillow guy when you need him?”
“A special consultant just showed up at the Trump trial,” another posted, along with a picture of Lindell.
Haberman: Trump appeared to be asleep. His head would fall down… He didn’t pay attention to a note his lawyer passed him. His jaw kept falling on his chest and his mouth kept going slack. pic.twitter.com/Y9niQfZc3W
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 15, 2024
Amidst the jests, however, lie serious legal implications, as Trump faces 34 felony counts related to alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Despite his staunch plea of not guilty, the irony of his drowsiness juxtaposed with his nickname for Biden was not lost on Twitter users.
As Twitter continues to buzz with commentary, the incident serves as a reminder of the gravity of the trial and its potential consequences.
