Did Donald Trump doze off at Republican convention? Here’s the truth

Two days after surviving an assassination attempt, former President Donald Trump made a dramatic appearance at the opening night of the Republican National Convention (RNC), sporting a bandage over his right ear. However, a video circulating on social media shows Trump appearing to fall asleep during the event on Monday.

The clip, which quickly went viral, depicts Trump gradually closing his eyes while seated, prompting a wave of reactions from social media users.

Despite being nominated earlier that day to lead the Republican ticket against President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election, the clip became a source of ridicule among social media users.

One user on X quipped, “Sleepy Donald Trump falls asleep at his own convention. It’s past Sleepy Don’s bedtime.”

Another commented, “He Can’t Stay Awake At The RNC!! He Sleep Bih!!!!! The Media Give Dude All The Passes!!!”

“If Trump can’t stay awake at his own convention, how is he going to stay awake for America?” wrote one user. “I think it’s time he should step down and let someone much younger take his place.”

One user joked, “That man ready to go home,” while another said, “He going to blame it on the meds they gave for the ear infection.”

Some comments defended Trump, noting his recent ordeal.

“Dude got shot and you are concerned about his sleep schedule,” wrote one user.

Others added, “He’s probably on super strong pain pills. Just a thought,” while another user said, “We call him (Trump) Sleepy Don.”

Opinions among viewers were mixed, with some asserting Trump was merely closing his eyes during a prayer, while others believed his fatigue was understandable given the recent assassination attempt.

DID TRUMP DOZE OFF? HERE’S THE TRUTH

As the video went viral, the American media tried to dig out the truth.

One of them said that Trump’s eyes were closed because it was a prayer session.

“I’m seeing claims that former President Trump fell asleep at one point during the RNC. I matched up the time stamps. Trump’s eyes are closed because this occurred during Pastor James Roemke’s prayer,” claimed Jim La Porta, CBS News verification producer.

But Newsweek said its scrutiny found that the clip was filmed during Republican Party official Harmeet Dhillon’s speech.

Newsweek said the clip was from four minutes after Roemke’s prayer session and during the speech by Harmeet Dhillon, a National Committee member of the Republican National Committee for California.

During Roemke’s prayer session, most of the attendees, including Vance, is seen with their eyes closed. While in the viral clip, Vance’s eyes are wide open while Trump is seen snoozing.

Neither Trump nor his team has addressed the video or the claims.