Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's assertion that former President Donald Trump "refuses to sleep" has drawn criticism and calls for fact-checking, with opponents highlighting numerous public instances where Trump appeared to be asleep or blinking extensively.
Bessent made the claim at the Republican midterm convention on Wednesday, contrasting Trump with President Joe Biden, whom Trump has labeled "Sleepy Joe" for his use of the autopen and alleged lack of alertness. Bessent stated, "We’ve gone from autopen to overdrive... From a president who couldn’t stay awake to a president who refuses to sleep."
However, critics quickly pointed out that Trump himself has used the autopen and has frequently appeared to struggle to stay awake during public events. Social media has often been filled with memes of Trump's eyes closing and his head tilting while seated and listening to others speak.
In November 2025, Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.) described Trump's inability to stay awake as a "grave national security threat." Trump, however, has maintained that he is merely resting his eyes and that photos capturing his blinks do not accurately represent his alertness. "I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me," Trump told The Wall Street Journal, adding that photographers sometimes catch him mid-blink.
CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner previously noted that "repeatedly falling asleep with a dozen people surrounding your desk is not normal" and suggested Trump undergo testing for sleep apnea. Reiner's comments came earlier this year after Trump appeared to nod off during various events.
Online commentary has circulated highlighting multiple occasions where Trump has appeared to fall asleep. These instances include cabinet meetings, a peace summit, a healthcare event, and the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Social media posts contrasted Bessent's statement with evidence of Trump appearing to doze off, suggesting that Trump's issue is an inability to stay awake rather than a refusal to sleep.