Donald Trump addressed his Cabinet during a meeting on December 5, 2023, wishing everyone a “great holiday week,” despite Thanksgiving having just passed. His comments raised eyebrows as he appeared fatigued, struggling to maintain focus throughout the meeting.
During the televised session, Trump spoke in a noticeably weary tone, leading to speculation about his well-being. As he made his holiday wishes, it was evident that the president was experiencing fatigue. Numerous photographs and video clips circulated online, showing him with his eyes closed, seemingly on the verge of dozing off.
Responses on social media highlighted the unusual nature of Trump’s comment. One user quipped, “I guess we’re doing weeklong Pearl Harbor Day celebrations?” Another remarked, “Just because your brain’s always off doesn’t mean the rest of us are on holiday.” This reaction underscores the disconnect between the president’s remarks and the actual timing of the holidays.
Despite his apparent tiredness, Trump attempted to expedite the meeting by encouraging Cabinet members to speak briefly. “We’re gonna go quickly,” he declared. However, many officials took the opportunity to deliver lengthy presentations, prolonging the session. At one point, a television camera captured Trump appearing to struggle to stay awake, with his eyes drooping and occasionally closing completely.
This display of fatigue came shortly after Trump criticized a recent article from the New York Times, which had analyzed his schedule and stamina at the age of 79. During the meeting, he reiterated his dismissal of the article, claiming he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago.” In an unusual moment, he referred to himself in the third person, asserting, “Trump is sharp, but they’re not sharp,” in reference to the newspaper’s reporting.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the concerns regarding Trump’s demeanor during the meeting. When questioned, she stated that Trump had been “listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting.” Leavitt emphasized that the president and his team had highlighted their accomplishments in their ongoing efforts to “Make America Great Again.”
As the holiday season approaches, Trump’s remarks and the subsequent reactions reveal a complex interplay of public perception and the president’s own challenges. With the festive period ahead and another major holiday on the horizon, the focus remains on how he manages both his schedule and his public image.
