Fact Check: Did Trump fall asleep during Iowa steel plant announcement?

WASHINGTON, DC: Several online videos have claimed to show President Donald Trump falling asleep during Oval Office events. Some of those clips sparked similar speculation about whether Trump was dozing off.

During the Iowa steel plant announcement on Monday, September 28, Trump appeared to sit with his eyes closed and his head lowered while administration officials spoke. The footage quickly drew attention online, with users debating whether he had fallen asleep or was simply listening with his eyes closed.

Did Trump actually nod off during the event? Let’s fact-check the claim.

Claim: Trump appears to nod off during Iowa steel plant announcement

During Monday’s Oval Office event, Trump sat with his eyes closed, and his head lowered while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Energy Secretary Chris Wright spoke.

Clips from different angles showed the moment and drew attention online. Some reports pointed to at least 23 similar moments since Trump began his second term, including events involving medicine and coal policy.

Supporters said Trump may have been listening with his eyes closed or briefly blinking. Critics, however, compared the moment with Trump’s past use of the “Sleepy Joe” nickname for former President Joe Biden.

The event focused on plans expected to create jobs in the Midwest, but the footage quickly shifted attention to speculation about whether Trump had fallen asleep.

One X user wrote, “Trump: Sleepy Joe Biden, have you heard of him? a few moments later Trump.”

Another user shared a screenshot from the Oval Office event and claimed, “Trump fell asleep in the Oval Office again...”

A third user wrote, “Trump is struggling to stay awake on camera.”

Another X user said, “I have no doubt in my mind that Donald Trump fell asleep multiple times today. He’s just tired, just like we’re all tired of him.”

Fact Check: The claims are unverified

The claims are unverified. Several X users accused Trump of falling asleep during the Oval Office event, but these claims rely on interpretations of his appearance rather than confirmed evidence. 

Some users and journalists pointed to his heavy eyelids, blinking, and movements that appeared to show drowsiness after the announcement.

Photos and short video clips show Trump with his eyes closed, and his head lowered for periods of time. However, the footage does not prove that he entered a deep or sustained sleep. 

The available coverage does not show clear signs such as prolonged unresponsiveness or audio of snoring. Trump later answered questions, although some reports described his responses as brief and quiet.

Similar claims have circulated during Trump’s second term, with reports pointing to other events where he appeared to close his eyes for several seconds or longer. 

The White House has rejected sleep claims in previous instances and described Trump's behavior as blinking, resting his eyes, or listening closely. Officials have also pushed back against concerns about his health.

No specific response from the White House to the September 28 incident was immediately available in the reporting reviewed. 

Therefore, the available footage supports the observation that Trump closed his eyes and lowered his head, but it does not establish that he was asleep.