California Governor Gavin Newsom reignited his rivalry with President Donald Trump after footage surfaced showing the 79-year-old commander-in-chief appearing to fall asleep during a White House event. The moment occurred as Trump hosted an announcement about reduced prices for weight-loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid, with Mehmet Oz speaking beside him. The viral clip sparked a wave of mockery online, culminating in Newsom’s pointed jab on social media that quickly made headlines.
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Viral Oval Office Moment
During Thursday’s press event, President Trump appeared visibly drowsy, with his eyes closed several times as Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, discussed obesity’s impact on sleep. The incident came just moments after a man fainted behind the president, during which Trump showed little visible reaction. The event was meant to highlight new deals with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower costs for GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
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Newsom’s Sharp Response
Governor Gavin Newsom wasted no time turning the incident into political ammunition. “Dozy Don is back!” his communications team posted on X, alongside a video of Trump with his eyes closed and the caption mocking his apparent fatigue. The 58-year-old Democrat, who has long sparred with Trump, used the moment to further question the president’s stamina and health amid growing scrutiny of his behavior in public appearances. The White House declined to comment when contacted by The Daily Beast about Newsom’s remarks.
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Recent Political Momentum
Newsom’s jab came at a time of growing political momentum for the California governor. He recently celebrated the success of a Democratic ballot measure that expanded his party’s congressional seats in California, countering GOP redistricting maneuvers in Texas. Over recent months, Newsom has repeatedly taken aim at Trump’s physical appearance and mental sharpness, portraying him as increasingly “dozy” and detached.
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Pattern of Fatigue and Health Concerns
The Oval Office incident wasn’t the first time Trump appeared exhausted in public. In September, while visiting the U.K., Newsom’s office taunted him again, posting, “Dozy Don, who looks awful recently (the hands) is lying on live television!” The mockery referenced Trump’s bruised right hand, which the White House attributed to frequent handshakes and daily aspirin use. The president was also diagnosed in July with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that causes swelling in the legs and ankles, though officials have maintained he remains in “excellent health.”
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Medical Tests and Secrecy
In October, Trump underwent an MRI, but the White House refused to disclose its purpose, fueling speculation about his overall health. Despite mounting questions, officials continue to insist that Trump’s medical condition does not interfere with his duties. Yet, recurring images of the president appearing frail, slow, or fatigued have added to public curiosity about his physical endurance as he nears his 80th birthday.
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Trump’s Sleepless Routine
Those close to the president often claim that his long hours are to blame for his apparent exhaustion. “None of us can keep up with him; we always joke… I don’t know how he does it,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said on a podcast hosted by Katie Miller, wife of Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. “He’s working all the time, and it’s just constant for him.” Vice President JD Vance has also remarked on Trump’s erratic schedule, telling Fox News that the president sometimes calls him “at 2 a.m. and then again at 6 a.m.”
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Expert Warning on Sleep
While Trump’s aides portray his sleeplessness as a sign of work ethic, experts warn it could pose serious health risks at his age. According to the National Institute on Aging, adults over 65 require at least seven hours of sleep per night to maintain cognitive and physical function. For a 79-year-old president juggling one of the world’s most demanding jobs, the lack of rest and its visible effects have become increasingly hard to ignore.