The Trump administration issued a statement after President Donald Trump appeared to slump in his chair during an Oval Office meeting, though officials denied he had fallen asleep. The event, focused on reducing the cost of weight-loss medications, drew immediate attention online, with critics mocking the president for seemingly closing his eyes during the presentation. California Governor Gavin Newsom referred to the moment on X, calling Trump “Dozy Don,” while social media reacted with widespread commentary.

Trump, now older than Joe Biden when he assumed office, appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open as his appointed head of Medicare services, former TV host Dr. Oz, outlined plans to lower the cost of weight-loss drugs for Americans. The White House insisted the president remained engaged, saying he “spoke throughout and took many questions from the press” and framing the meeting as a historic effort to reduce prices for drugs treating diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. If implemented, the monthly cost of orally administered GLP-1 drugs would fall to $149, with injectables expected to cost $249.

The statement also criticized media coverage, calling reports that Trump nodded off “garbage” and accusing “liberal” journalists of misrepresenting the event. The meeting included a separate incident in which an unnamed pharmaceuticals executive collapsed, prompting a brief panic. Photographs circulated of Trump standing nearby as Dr. Oz and other officials assisted the executive, while Health Secretary RFK Jr. moved out of frame. Dr. Oz later confirmed the individual had recovered. The events highlight both the administration’s focus on healthcare policy initiatives and the intense public scrutiny of Trump’s physical presence during official functions, showing how moments of perceived fatigue can dominate public perception even during policy announcements intended to showcase tangible benefits for Americans.