'Sleepy Don strikes again': Trump mocked as he appears to be asleep at RNC in viral video

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: A video that seemingly captures former President Donald Trump dozing off during a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Milwaukee has taken social media by storm.

The footage, shot during Harmeet Dhillon's address, shows Trump with his eyes closed while his running mate, JD Vance, remains attentive beside him, as reported by Newsweek.

Viral video shows Donald Trump with eyes closed during 2024 Republican National Convention

CBS News verification producer Jim La Porta sought to clarify the situation on X, stating that Trump’s eyes were closed during Pastor James Roemke's prayer, not because he was asleep.

However, further investigation by Newsweek disclosed that the widely shared clip actually occurred four minutes later, during Dhillon's speech. Roemke’s prayer did see the majority of the audience, including Trump and Vance, closing their eyes, which led to some users sharing misleading clips that cropped out other attendees.

This incident has fueled significant online discussion, largely due to Trump’s history of ridiculing President Joe Biden by dubbing him "Sleepy Joe." Trump has often questioned Biden’s capability to lead, citing his age - Biden, at 81, is the oldest sitting president in US history.

Biden himself once admitted to almost falling asleep on stage during the first presidential debate in Atlanta, a performance that was widely criticized.

At 78, Trump would be the second oldest president if elected. Reports from various journalists suggest he appeared to nod off several times during his criminal trial in New York. This led Biden to label him "Sleepy Don," a moniker Trump vehemently denies, asserting he did not fall asleep in court.

The timing of Trump’s RNC appearance is noteworthy, coming just two days after surviving an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania campaign rally. The attack resulted in one death and two injuries among rally attendees. Republican speakers at the convention called for unity in response to the tragedy.

The announcement of Vance as Trump's running mate, aiming to leverage the Ohio senator's youth and conservative celebrity status, was quickly overshadowed by the viral video.

Donald Trump mocked online in wake of viral video showing him with eyes closed

Social media platforms exploded with mockery and jibes directed at Trump in wake of the viral video showing him with eyes closed.

One user on X quipped, "He was tired from all the golf," while another remarked, "#MAGA, if your guy is sleeping at the convention, he'll surely sleep on the job."

"Sleepy Don strikes again," wrote a third user, while a fourth added, "It’s almost comical how this vile human has the support of millions. The HYPOCRISY is unreal."

Another user chimed in, "Sleepy Don couldn't help but sleep at his own convention," and someone else noted, "Trump falling asleep at the RNC Convention is PEEEEEEEAK irony!"

Critics didn’t hold back, with one suggesting, "Trump should drop out now. He would be asleep at the wheel for America," and another jesting, "To be fair, he thought he was back in Judge Merchan’s courtroom where he was used to taking his naps."

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