President Donald Trump has spent months projecting vigor, stamina, and the aura of a commander-in-chief who can steer the nation as he nears his eightieth birthday.
Yet critics argue that even small questions about his health have become politically combustible, provoking swift resistance from allies eager to shut down speculation before it gains traction.
This week a prominent physician publicly raised concerns about the president’s condition, triggering another round of debate and immediate pushback from the White House.
CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner told CNN that the president displays “severe daytime somnolence” (excessive daytime sleepiness).
A New Trump Photo Before His Walter Reed Visit Has People Asking Questions the White House Can’t Answer and the Story They Put Out After Only Raised More Red Flags
Also known as hypersomnia, the condition can leave a person feeling extraordinarily sleepy during the day, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
“He’s fallen asleep in the Oval Office on multiple occasions with people talking to him, the Cabinet Room, and there’s concern yesterday that he might have fallen asleep at Arlington National Cemetery during Memorial Day observances,” Reiner said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, hypersomnia isn’t simply a nap; it’s a more serious condition. It goes beyond feeling drained after a long meeting or a double-block class.
That means you can’t regulate when the sleep hits.
Trump’s health has occupied the spotlight for much of his second term. The 79-year-old president underwent a medical examination on Tuesday at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Reuters noted that this was his third medical visit in 13 months.
The president posted on Truth Social that “everything checked out perfectly” regarding the exam.
Trump has often drawn parallels between his own health and that of former President Joe Biden, who left office last year at 82. Biden, too, faced questions about his fitness for the role.
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“But photos of a blotchy neck rash are raising questions about Trump’s health. Reuters said another instance occurred in July 2025, when the president was seen with swollen ankles and a bruised hand, concealed with makeup.”
It appears the White House tried to steer the narrative. One of its accounts, Rapid Response, blasted CNN’s Dana Bash on X.
“@DanaBashCNN FALLS ASLEEP AHEAD OF HER 55TH BIRTHDAY NEXT MONTH. WHAT IS GOING ON?” the account wrote.
“If only! Thanks for watching,” Bash, 54, replied.
The account then directed attacks at different reporters and anchors for “falling asleep.” On each post, the account attached a screenshot of the individual blinking during a report.
“Third-rate loser @jeffmason1 cannot seem to keep his eyes open as he speculates (lies) about President Trump’s perfect health. Not good!” the account said.
“FLASHBACK: FAKE TAPPER APPEARS TO DOZE OFF THROUGHOUT HIS ‘SHOW’.”
Many online condemned the White House, including the publisher MeidasTouch, which captured four screenshots of the attacks.
The caption accompanying the post read, “YIKES: The White House is having a complete meltdown over coverage of Donald Trump’s health. To compensate for Trump’s decline and constant dozing off, they’re posting photos and short videos of CNN hosts looking down or blinking.”
“That’s what desperation looks like. They’re trying to get ahead of the narrative,” @stuboy_baggins wrote on Threads.
“No physical for an 80-year-old who never exercises and eats garbage goes ‘perfectly,’” @dave_arbiter commented.
“I am waiting for that brave reporter to ask, ‘What the hell is wrong with your ankles?’” @rocketbuckeye93 wrote.
“They obviously can’t say the malignant narcissistic garbage is rotting more each day, ya know the hypocrisy is the new religion,” @artistic.impression.concepts added.
Another question raised: What is the White House doing to help the president combat this alleged medical condition?
“It can increase depression, anxiety; it’s a real problem,” Reiner said.
Atlanta Black Star reached out to the White House to see if they wished to comment on Reiner’s theory. No response has been received.
