Scrutiny grows over Trump’s health after drowsy public appearances

Fresh questions have emerged over the health of US President Donald Trump following a series of public appearances in which he appeared drowsy, fuelling renewed debate about the fitness of the 79-year-old leader.

During a recent event at the White House, cameras captured Trump closing his eyes for several seconds as Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a foreign policy update.

While it remains unclear whether the president briefly fell asleep, the moment added to a growing number of incidents that have drawn public and political scrutiny.

The White House has repeatedly dismissed concerns, insisting the president is in good health.

However, speculation has intensified in recent months following visible bruising on Trump’s hands, reports of him appearing to drift off during meetings, and a slower public schedule compared with his first term.

At a September 11 commemoration at the Pentagon, footage showing a droop on the right side of Trump’s face prompted online speculation of a possible stroke, remarks that were firmly denied by the administration.

A subsequent New York Times report examining these concerns provoked a sharp response from the president, who accused the newspaper of “seditious” and “perhaps even treasonous” reporting in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform.

Trump, the oldest president to be inaugurated, has insisted that his medical results are strong and that no previous president has “worked as hard” as he does.

The White House has attributed bruising on his hands to frequent handshaking with members of the public, an explanation some medical professionals have questioned.

Doctors quoted in US media have said the marks could have a range of causes, including medical procedures or minor injuries, and have expressed skepticism that handshaking alone would account for recurring bruises.

Dr Boback Berookhim, a New York-based urologist and men’s sexual health specialist, said officials appeared to be trying to “hide” something.

“It could be from a blood draw, an insect bite or potentially from hitting his hand against something,” he told the Daily Mail.

Trump’s public schedule now typically starts later in the day than during his first term, and the number of official events he has attended this year is significantly lower than in 2017, according to White House records.

Political opponents, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, have openly questioned Trump’s fitness, while late-night television hosts have used the incidents as material for satire.

'Sleepy Joe' dozes off at US Navy ceremony

US President Joe Biden, nicknamed "Sleepy Joe", has seemingly dozed off once again, this time standing while attending a formal military ceremony for the Navy in Delaware.

Allies of the president claim that the focus on his health is politically motivated and note that concerns over age and fitness have surrounded several recent US presidents.

Matthew Dallek, a political historian at George Washington University, said “Presidential aides have often sought to manage or downplay health concerns,” adding that public transparency about a president’s health has historically been limited.

Despite the mounting scrutiny, the White House maintains that Trump remains fully capable of carrying out his duties, dismissing claims to the contrary as speculation amplified by political rivals and the media.

Former US President Joe Biden has also been repeatedly caught on camera with his eyes closed for brief moments on various occasions and is widely recognized by many Americans and observers around the world by the nickname “Sleepy Joe.”

“Sleepy Joe” was also the nickname Trump popularized, by using it to refer to his Democratic rival Biden during his campaigns leading up to the 2020 US presidential election.

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