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During the inaugural Board of Peace meeting in Washington, Donald Trump was seen with his eyes closed as other leaders spoke, sparking online debate even as he announced major Gaza funding pledges.
Trump appearing to doze off during the launch of his Board of Peace
UPDATED: Feb 20, 2026 05:43 IST
A video of Donald Trump appearing to close his eyes during his Board of Peace launch has gone viral, overshadowing major Gaza funding pledges and renewed scrutiny over his energy and health.
A video of US President Donald Trump appearing to doze off during the launch of his Board of Peace has gone viral, triggering fresh debate about his energy levels and fitness for office.
The footage, recorded during Thursday’s inaugural meeting at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, DC, shows the 79-year-old president sitting on stage with his eyes closed and head slightly drooping as military officials and international leaders delivered remarks.
Trump had spoken for more than 45 minutes before taking his seat as others addressed representatives from over 40 countries gathered for the event.
Cameras repeatedly caught him with his eyes shut as the session continued.
At one point, during remarks by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Trump’s eyelids appeared heavy less than an hour after his own address.
When applause rang out, he jolted upright, snapping his eyes open.
Similar moments were captured during speeches by Major General Jasper Jeffers III and other dignitaries. In one clip, Trump appears motionless with his eyes closed for several seconds, prompting speculation online that he had briefly fallen asleep.
NOT THE FIRST TIME
This is not the first time Trump has faced scrutiny over similar moments at public events.
After footage from a previous Cabinet meeting showed him with his eyes closed, Trump pushed back against claims he had fallen asleep.
“Some people said, he closed his eyes. Look, it got pretty boring,” Trump said at the time. “I didn’t sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell outta here.”
He also insisted, “I don’t sleep much.”
The White House has previously said Trump remains in good health, noting that recent medical tests were preventative and showed strong cardiac condition. Officials have also attributed visible bruising on his hands to aspirin use as a precaution against cardiovascular disease.
At 79, Trump is the oldest serving US president, and his health has remained under close public scrutiny.
- Ends
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Feb 20, 2026
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