President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump attended Friday’s ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, honoring the 184 people killed at the Pentagon. The names of the victims were read aloud as a bell tolled between each name.
But as the ceremony continued, viewers watching the livestream began focusing on Trump.
Seated beside the first lady, the 80-year-old president appeared to slump in his chair, with his eyes closed for extended stretches during Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s remarks and portions of the remembrance ceremony.
And, well, the internet was watching.
“A Sleepy Donald Trump has decided to take a nap at the Pentagon Ceremony,” one account with more than 100,000 followers posted on X.
“Watching the 9/11 memorial and Trump is asleep,” another person wrote.
“Trump can’t keep his eyes open even on September 11,” another commenter said, adding that the camera had been focused on him for some time and that he “barely moved.”
Another post declared: “Trump is literally falling asleep at the wheel at the Pentagon Ceremony.”
Journalist Aaron Rupar also commented on Trump’s appearance, saying the president “sounds absolutely exhausted” while sharing a clip from his speech.
The White House, however, strongly rejected the suggestion that Trump had fallen asleep.
“President Trump was solemnly listening and remembering the victims and heroic first responders who tragically lost their lives on that fateful day,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle said. “Anyone ridiculously claiming the President was asleep is lying.”
So there are two very different descriptions of what viewers saw.
The White House says Trump was solemnly listening.
Viewers watching the ceremony saw a president whose eyes appeared to close for extended periods and who appeared, at least at moments, to be dozing.
And the optics were particularly awkward given Trump’s long history of mocking his political opponents over their age and apparent fatigue.
Trump famously branded Joe Biden “Sleepy Joe” throughout the 2020 campaign and repeatedly used the nickname during Biden’s presidency.
Now Trump is 80 himself, making footage of him appearing to nod off during a nationally televised 9/11 remembrance ceremony especially likely to draw attention.
The incident also comes amid renewed scrutiny of Trump’s public appearances, with clips circulating in recent weeks showing him closing his eyes or appearing to lose focus during events.
Last month, video from an Oval Office announcement about vaccines went viral after Trump repeatedly closed his eyes while sitting behind the Resolute Desk.
The White House has consistently pushed back against questions about Trump’s health and energy, instead contrasting him with Biden and accusing the media of having ignored what it described as Biden’s physical and mental decline.
But Friday’s footage presented a particularly uncomfortable visual.
This wasn’t a campaign rally.
It wasn’t a late-night speech.
It wasn’t a long interview.
It was a solemn ceremony at the Pentagon honoring the 184 people who died there on September 11, 2001.
And for a president who spent years weaponizing the phrase “Sleepy Joe” against his predecessor, the sight of Trump apparently struggling to stay awake at a 9/11 remembrance was almost tailor-made for the internet.
The cameras caught it.
The internet saw it.
And “Sleepy Trump” was back.
