'Sleepy Don': Internet trolls Donald Trump as he dozes off in courtroom ahead of hush money criminal trial

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: As the historical criminal trial of Donald Trump unfolds in Manhattan, the former president seemed to struggle to stay awake during the proceedings.

On Monday, April 15, Trump made a dramatic entrance at the courthouse ahead of the hush money criminal trial as he claimed the charges are an "assault to America."

What to know about Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial?

The charges against Trump, who faces 34 felony counts, stem from allegations that he falsified business records related to the payments he made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election.

Daniels claimed the affair occurred in 2006, a year after Trump tied the knot with his current wife Melania Trump.

Despite the charges, Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Donald Trump appeared 'to be sleeping' during the hush money criminal trial

As jury selection began in the criminal prosecution, some courtroom reporters claimed the former president dozed off, and at one point, he may have even fallen asleep.

“Trump appears to be sleeping. His head keeps dropping down and his mouth goes slack," reported Maggie Haberman of the New York Times.

The observation sparked a wave of social media commentary which inspired a new nickname for Trump as 'Sleepy Don'.

The moniker comes after the 77-year-old businessman famously labeled his rival, Joe Biden, 81, 'Sleepy Joe' ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Haberman noted that Trump's apparent drowsiness during the trial is not entirely surprising as she told CNN, “There have been other moments in other trials, like the E Jean Carroll trial… where he appeared very still and appeared as if he might be sleeping."

“His jaw kept falling on his chest and his mouth kept going slack,” she said, adding that it is not unusual for people to fall asleep in court but "it’s notable given the intensity” of the trial.

Internet lambasts Donald Trump's apparent drowsiness during trial

As Trump appeared to fall asleep during his criminal case trial, netizens slammed the former president's struggle to stay awake during the proceedings.

"This is who you picked to be your presidential candidate Republicans. Trump doesn't have the energy to get even halfway through the first day of the first of several criminal trials," a user wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

"Don Snoreleone can’t handle it," a user tweeted and another wrote, "Well #SleepyJoe aged badly but something tells me #DozyDonald will be timeless."

"Jury trials can be long and mind numbing for many, But never ever for a Defendant in a criminal case. And never ever in front of jurors. Donald Trump falling asleep before lunch on day one is very bad for him. #sleepydon," a user commented.

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