The Trump administration has been compelled to respond after several video clips appeared to show the president nodding off during an event—an uncomfortable moment that spread rapidly across social media.
“The Nodfather”
Last week, cameras caught Donald Trump reclining in his chair with his eyes shut during a televised Oval Office briefing focused on weight loss drugs. The footage quickly inspired a flood of jokes and memes online, with many dubbing him “Dozy Don.”
Critics were quick to point out the irony, given Trump’s long history of mocking his predecessor as “Sleepy Joe.”
At the event, Dr. Mehmet Oz, serving as Trump’s head of Medicare services, unveiled new initiatives to reduce the cost of popular GLP-1 weight loss medications.
As Oz delivered his remarks, Trump seemed to momentarily slump in his seat, leading to widespread speculation that he had dozed off.
“People can sleep again, because they can breathe when they go to bed,” Oz said beside the Resolute Desk, as Trump’s eyelids appeared to give in to gravity.
Two months earlier, California Governor Gavin Newsom, through his press team, had started referring to Trump as “Dozy Don” after earlier photos appeared to show him drifting off during a public appearance.
When the new images surfaced, Newsom wasted no time, posting on X: “DOZY DON IS BACK.”
The governor’s press office later escalated the mockery by sharing a photo collage of Trump with his eyes closed, captioned “The Nodfather,” using the same distinctive font as The Godfather movie poster.
Now older than Joe Biden was when he entered the White House in 2020, Trump’s apparent drowsiness renewed questions about his stamina during key meetings.
White House fires back
The White House sharply rejected the viral clips, calling them “garbage” in a fiery statement.
“The President was not sleeping; in fact, he spoke throughout and took many questions from the press during this announcement, which represents a historic reduction in prices for Americans on two drugs that help people struggling with diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and other conditions,” the statement read.
Officials accused “liberal media” outlets of obsessing over a baseless story instead of reporting on what they described as a major healthcare milestone.
“This announcement by President Trump will save a significant amount of money and countless American lives, and yet the failing, liberal media want to push a garbage narrative instead of covering it,” the White House said in a statement to CNN.
If enacted, the new policy would reduce prices for GLP-1 medications—cutting oral versions to $149 per month and injectable ones to $249.
A chaotic week in the West Wing
The Oval Office briefing wasn’t the only unexpected incident that week. At a separate White House event, an unidentified pharmaceutical executive collapsed, causing a brief panic among attendees.
Photos from the scene showed Dr. Oz and other officials rushing to assist the man. Health Secretary RFK Jr. was also seen leaving the frame as aides and journalists scrambled.
Donald Trump, James Austin Johnson. Credit: Getty Images, YouTube/SNL
Images of Trump standing behind his desk and facing the cameras while others tended to the fallen man quickly circulated online.
“Just replace the guy on the floor with America and we have the perfect painting for 2025,” one Reddit user wrote.
Dr. Oz later confirmed that the man had recovered after receiving prompt medical attention.