Trump insists he doesn’t ‘sleep much’ during Oval Office photo op days after dozing incident

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump insisted that he does not sleep much, responding to criticism after he was seen apparently dozing on camera in the Oval Office.

During an Oval Office photo op on Tuesday, November 18, during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) visit to the United States, he made the remark while responding to reporters.

Trump claims he and MBS share the same no-sleep schedule

A Saudi reporter highlighted Trump’s role in de-escalating conflicts, stating, "So apart from everything you mentioned in your opening remarks, you forgot to mention that you’ve de-escalated seven wars since you started."

Calling him a peacemaker, the reporter added, "At least in our part of the world you are seen as a peacemaker, and adding that to all the executive orders and everything else you’ve mentioned, I really have to wonder."

The reporter also referenced a previous speech by Trump, saying, "In your speech in Saudi Arabia, I was there, you said that His Royal Highness does not sleep at night thinking how he does things better."

He then asked about time management: "We wonder, we wonder in Saudi Arabia, how do you manage your own time and what’s your formula for management?"

Trump replied, "He does not sleep much, and I don’t sleep much." He added, referring to MBS’s sleep schedule, "I think we have the same schedule."

Aiming at his predecessor, Joe Biden, Trump remarked, "We just had one that slept more than any president. He broke every record. He sleeps all the time, during the day, during the night, on the beach. The only guy could fall asleep on the beach with the press watching."

Referring to the special bond he has built with the Crown Prince, Trump said, "We talk at night. We can talk. I can call him almost any time. He goes, hi, how you doing? And it’s like, get crazy sometimes."

Trump further emphasized the shared sense of responsibility between leaders, stating, "We’re thinking about our countries, when you love your job, when you love your country, and when you’re in a position like we are, future king, highly respected, crown prince, and, in my case, president, you’re thinking about your country."

Trump’s brief dozing moment at White House

Just days earlier, Trump had drawn widespread attention after being photographed and videotaped appearing to fall asleep during a White House press event on weight-loss drugs.

The footage showed him dozing in the middle of the event, which critics quickly seized upon. California Governor Gavin Newsom mocked Trump after the president was accused of nodding off.

Newsom called him “DOZY DON IS BACK!”, featuring an image of Trump slumped in his chair with his eyes firmly closed. Newsom, who has frequently trolled Trump, also included a video in the post.

The remark echoed Trump’s own nickname for “Sleepy Joe” Biden, who was 81 when he dropped out of the 2024 presidential race and 82 at the end of his term.