Trump abruptly pauses speech to point out daughter Ivanka's lookalike in crowd

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump briefly went off script and abruptly paused his speech during a White House Christmas reception on Sunday, December 14, after spotting a woman in the audience whom he said looked like his daughter, Ivanka Trump.

The moment took place as the POTUS was addressing guests gathered for the festive event in the White House when he noticed the woman who he said resembled his daughter.

Trump says 'It’s the most unbelievable thing'

In the middle of his speech on Sunday, Trump stopped and pointed towards a woman in the crowd. The POTUS said, "Boy, do you look like Ivanka. Has anyone ever told you that?" as he appeared momentarily distracted.

The POTUS then added that he was looking at her and wondering if it was his daughter. He asked the woman to turn around so that the cameras could capture her face. However, a visual of her face was not visible in the clip that went viral, and only her blonde hair could be seen. 

"Does she look like Ivanka? It’s the most unbelievable thing," Trump said, and added that it was 'a great compliment'. The woman reportedly smiled and turned briefly as the POTUS continued to comment on the resemblance.

The pause in speech came during a wide-ranging and informal address. Guests at the reception were seemingly amused by the moment, while the event continued without any further interruptions. 

Meanwhile, Trump returned to his prepared remarks and thanked attendees for joining the Christmas celebration at the White House.

Susie Wiles insists Trump is ‘not sleeping’ during meetings

As a clip circulated online showing Donald Trump with his eyes closed during official events, the White House debunked claims that he was sleeping. The Chief of Staff Susie Wiles dismissed the speculation in comments published on Tuesday, December 16, and insisted that the POTUS was fully alert.

During an interview with Vanity Fair, Wiles rejected the idea that the POTUS had been nodding off during meetings that later went viral online. She said, "He’s not asleep. He’s got his eyes closed and his head leaned back … and, you know, he’s fine." 

Wiles made the remarks weeks after Trump was seen closing his eyes during a televised Cabinet meeting on December 2. The session showed the POTUS squinting repeatedly and, at least once, fully shutting his eyes while seated at the table.

The clips from the meeting quickly went viral on social media, fueling speculation over whether Trump had briefly fallen asleep.

Moreover, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt strongly defended the president’s conduct when PEOPLE contacted the administration for comment at the time.

"President Trump was listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting," Leavitt said at the time.