President Donald Trump has signed more than 150 executive orders, usually with cameras rolling and staff standing nearby. The routine is always the same: he sits at the Oval Office desk while someone quickly reads a summary of the order. He rarely reads the documents himself — some are dozens of pages long — and often looks uninterested or confused.
On Friday, that confusion was caught on camera in a moment that left critics stunned.
“Are we doing something about the regulatory in here?” Trump asked during the signing, turning to a business leader standing near him.
“Several business leaders standing around him were quick to chime in that his order did address the regulations,” reported The Daily Beast. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum added, “You are, sir.”
Trump then looked around and asked, “Is that it?”
Someone replied, “That’s all we have for you now, sir.”
Instead of taking questions about the orders, Trump asked the room if anyone had questions for the guests — whom he called “brilliant.”
The scene didn’t sit well with critics.
“He is not in charge,” said Fred Wellman, a 22-year Army veteran and political consultant.
MSNBC columnist Michael A. Cohen mocked the moment: “It’s almost as if Trump has cognitive deficiencies, which from what I hear on CNN is a major scandal.”
Evaristus Odinikaeze, an investment banker, was baffled: “’Is that it?’ while signing orders he doesn’t understand, parroting talking points he didn’t write, and pretending it’s leadership. Peak performative confusion.”
The moment raised fresh concerns about whether Trump is fully aware of the actions he’s taking as president — or if he’s just playing the part.
Watch the clip below:
