Trump claims he is ‘more alert now than he was 25 years ago.’ But then he appeared to doze off for an hour – again.

During a Cabinet meeting shortly after noon ET on Tuesday, President Donald Trump once again referred to Joe Biden as Sleepy Joe. He claimed he was sharper than I was 25 years ago and criticized The New York Times for a recent article suggesting that at 79, his performance has slowed in his second term. Trump is sharp, but theyre not sharp, he remarked about the newspaper. He also expressed frustration with reporters, saying, You people are crazy, regarding coverage of his health and energy.

However, over the next 90 minutes, Trump struggled to maintain the alertness he had claimed. While his Cabinet, assembled to praise his leadership, spoke, he appeared to nod off multiple times. About 15 minutes after his remarks, during Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnicks praise of Trumps trade policies, the presidents blinking grew slower. Similar patterns continued as Housing Secretary Scott Turner and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the room, followed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

By the time Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. spoke, Trump seemed to close his eyes for 10 to 15 seconds at a stretch before responding. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later received the same treatment while discussing Trumps foreign policy efforts, made more noticeable due to their proximity on camera. Rubio ended with a joke about the College Football Playoff, which Trump barely acknowledged.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump, saying he had been listening attentively throughout the three-hour Cabinet session. She highlighted his nine meetings this year and his responses to questions on Democrats and immigration, framing the meetings as showcases of accomplishments.

This episode is the second in recent weeks showing Trump fighting to stay awake during official events; a similar instance occurred on November 6 in the Oval Office. Despite these moments, Trump continues to maintain a more active public schedule than his predecessor and engages with the press more frequently, though late-night activity may have contributed to fatigue.

Trump has repeatedly criticized Biden for appearing sleepy during public events, describing it as a lack of enthusiasm. He has referenced Biden falling asleep at international conferences, debates, and even on the beach, presenting it as a sign of disengagement. By contrast, Trump has publicly stated he never sleeps in front of cameras. Yet, the recent Cabinet meeting highlighted that the same standard of vigilance applies to all leaders, regardless of age or public perception.

Context remains important when evaluating health and stamina. Bidens schedule and public appearances were far less demanding than Trumps, though Trump has historically been secretive about his own health. Previous medical letters and statements, including those from Dr. Harold Bornstein, painted an overly optimistic picture of Trumps condition, fueling scrutiny. The apparent sleepiness during meetings underscores the scrutiny that comes with age and public expectations.