President Donald Trump appeared noticeably fatigued during a cabinet meeting on December 5, 2023, just days after the Thanksgiving holiday. His demeanor drew attention as he mistakenly wished his cabinet a “great holiday week,” despite Thanksgiving having recently passed and Christmas still over three weeks away.
Visuals from the meeting showed Trump struggling to maintain alertness, with several instances of him closing his eyes or appearing as if he might doze off. These moments were captured on video and circulated widely on social media, prompting humorous reactions from users. One comment quipped, “I guess we’re doing weeklong Pearl Harbor Day celebrations?” while another noted, “That was LAST WEEK. Does he not remember that he pardoned some turkeys last week?”
Although Trump attempted to expedite the meeting by encouraging cabinet members to speak briefly—stating, “We’re gonna go quickly”—the presentations often extended longer than anticipated. As officials took their turns, Trump was seen leaning back in his chair, occasionally struggling to keep his eyes open.
The president’s fatigue comes on the heels of his criticism of a New York Times article that scrutinized his schedule and stamina at age 79. During the same meeting, Trump reiterated his assertion that he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago,” referring to himself in the third person to emphasize his point. He dismissed the article, claiming, “Trump is sharp, but they’re not sharp.”
Despite the images and videos of a weary president, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump later that day. Responding to inquiries about the meeting, she stated that the president had been “listening attentively and running the entire three-hour marathon Cabinet meeting.” Leavitt emphasized that these meetings focus on the administration’s accomplishments, reinforcing the ongoing goals of the “Make America Great Again” agenda.
As the holiday season approaches, Trump’s apparent exhaustion raises questions about his stamina and focus during this critical period of governance.
