Internet trolls 'drowsy don' Trump for scoring slumber hat-trick by falling asleep in court again

Donald Trump dozed off in court for the third time during the hush money trial amidst jury selection
PUBLISHED APR 20, 2024
Donald Trump reportedly fell asleep for a third time in the Manhattan courtroom (Getty Images)
Donald Trump reportedly fell asleep for a third time in the Manhattan courtroom (Getty Images)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump earned an unimpressive hat-trick for falling asleep again in court during the hush money trial.

On the fourth day of the trial on Friday, April 19, the GOP presumptive nominee reportedly dozed off for a third time at the Manhattan courtroom since the proceedings kicked off on April 15. The day ended with the court selecting the entire 12-panel jury and the six alternatives.

On the first day of jury selection in the first-ever trial where a sitting or former US President was a defendant, Trump took his first public nap.

Trump's tendency to fall asleep

Maggie Haberman of The New York Times reported about the Former President falling asleep amid the tedious jury selection process.

"Trump appears to have fallen asleep in court again. It happened several times just now. His eyes were closed for extended periods and his head dropped down twice," she wrote.

(Getty Images)
Donald Trump dozed off on the first day of the trial (Getty Images)

Trump's drowsy behavior was one of the highlights of the hearing, and it was throughout the first week of the trial.

After falling asleep on the first day, it occurred again on Tuesday, April 16. There was no court session on Wednesday, but he remained awake during the proceedings on April 18, the third day.

"Trump's head slowly dropped, his eyes closed. It jerked back upward. He adjusts himself. Then, his head droops again. He straightens up, leaning back. His head [droops] for a third time, and he shakes his shoulders. Eyes closed still. His head drops. Finally, he pops his eyes open," Law360's Frank G Runyeon wrote about the Former President's latest dozing off, according to Mediaite.

77-year-old Trump's difficulty staying awake is ironical to his nickname for President Joe Biden. He often calls his octogenarian successor "Sleepy Joe."

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 06: U.S. President Joe Biden speaks during a press conference in the State
Donald Trump often calls President Joe Biden 'Sleepy Joe' (Getty Images)

In addition, day four of the hearing had another dramatic event when Justice Juan Merchan ordered the Republican White House hopeful to sit back when he abruptly shot up before the judge wrapped up his sentence.

"His [Merchan] long, black robes dangled from beneath his right hand as he waved it down, like a man addressing his dog," The Daily Beast's Jose Pagliery described the moment.

The opening statements in the trial are expected on Monday, April 22.

Internet ridicules Trump

The Former President faced brutal trolling for falling asleep amid the hush money hearing for a third time.

One user labeled Trump "Drowsy Don."

Meanwhile, another wrote, "Old men tend to 'rest their eyes' often. Guess the adderal stopped working."

"He should always be asked, going forward, do u need a nap, sir? Would u like one?" a user mockingly asked.



 



 



 

A response read, "Court can be pretty boring. The irony, though, is in his persistent 'Sleepy Joe' nickname for Biden. Hey, Pot? Here's the Kettle." Another called him "Low Energy Donnie."

An individual shared a funny GIF that read, "I'm OLD AND NEED SLEEP."



 



 



 

"His counsel should know an old trick of trial counsel...drop a book," someone else quipped. A remark read, "He’s bored he’s usually running all over the country and golfing. Probably catching up on some well deserved rest."



 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Michael Steele said that Donald Trump, within six months in office, struck at institutions which left them cowering 'in a corner' instead of resisting
8 hours ago
David Carr vowed to counter socialist-inspired proposals like city-run grocery stores, calling them a failed ideological experiment
1 day ago
Marco Rubio confirmed the Trump admin had ended ties with 66 global groups, citing taxpayer accountability and rejecting 'ineffective' institutions
1 day ago
Chris Murphy proposed a bill to curb DHS powers by banning face coverings, limiting interior raids, and boosting transparency after Renee Good's death
1 day ago
Federal Judge Arun Subramanian issued a 14‑day restraining order, saying states had met the legal threshold to preserve aid programs
1 day ago
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins cited Feeding Our Future, housing aid abuse, and daycare fraud probes to justify the funding freeze
1 day ago
Jack Smith's team welcomed public scrutiny, with attorney Lanny Breuer noting he had long offered to testify openly and never resisted transparency
2 days ago
Eric Swalwell and Dan Goldman proposed the 'ICE OUT Act' as lawmakers aimed to strip ICE officers of qualified immunity, citing accountability gaps
2 days ago
The Clinton postponed their December depositions with Bill's rescheduled for January 13 and Hillary's for 14, but neither have confirmed attendance
2 days ago
Judge Lorna Schofield blocked John Sarcone's IRS request, ruling only a lawfully appointed US Attorney could authorize disclosures
2 days ago