Donald Trump welcomed American ranchers into the Oval Office Friday. But as the event dragged on, his eyelids began competing with American beef for top billing.
The 80-year-old president sat behind the Resolute Desk as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins delivered her remarks. Several ranchers stood nearby.
At least three wore cowboy hats. Rollins discussed two executive orders that Trump had signed to support American beef producers.
Then Trump appeared to nod off.
The president repeatedly blinked and closed his eyes for extended periods.
💤 Trump takes 3pm Oval Office nap 💤
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 31, 2026
Trump just dozed his way through another midafternoon event, though he did wake up long enough to snap at a reporter who asked him about nuking Iran and to share a painfully ignorant take about how cutting off trade with other countries… pic.twitter.com/04vuK8OYMj
At times, he seemed to drift in and out while Rollins addressed him.
The beef discussion kept moving. Trump looked ready to put the “rest” in the Resolute Desk.
The overseas beef issue stems from a shortage of lean meat needed to make ground beef.
American cattle typically produce fattier cuts. Processors blend those cuts with lean trimmings to create common 80/20 or 90/10 ground beef, according to Forbes. Drought, wildfires and rising costs have pushed the U.S. cattle herd to a 75-year low.
Trump responded by allowing 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef imports, mainly from Brazil and Argentina. However, economists doubt his decision will produce major savings for shoppers.
Back inside the Oval Office, Rollins appeared determined to keep her boss engaged.
She turned toward him and directed her comments his way. She even dropped former President Joe Biden’s name into the conversation.
That briefly opened Trump’s eyes. Apparently, nothing works faster than hearing the name of his favorite target. Still, the presidential peepers soon closed again, according to The Daily Beast.
Rollins brought the charts. The ranchers brought the hats. The internet brought the charcoal.
“He needs No Doz,” one Daily Beast reader advised. Another commenter offered a biting diagnosis: “A narcoleptic narcissistic President!” A third person asked, “Who knew the zombie apocalypse would just be geriatric politicians?”
The bedtime jokes soon became more personal. One critic dragged Trump aide Natalie Harp into the routine.
“Trumpy can’t stay awake without his blanky named Natalie,” the person joked.
Another reader gave Trump a new rap name. “He’s a closet rapper known as SLEEPY D,” the commenter cracked.
The nickname may not have the same ring as “The Donald,” but it comes with a built-in bedtime album. The punchlines eventually gave way to concern.
“In addition to tracking days wasted on golf, the media should track his time asleep at meetings. Has to be adding up to quite a number by now,” one person wrote.
Another warned, “Our nation is in deep trouble, and we have no one to blame but ourselves!”
The story eventually reached AOL. Those readers weighed in with their own opinions.
“The Disaster-In-Thief is certainly ‘asleep at the wheel’ on most issues,” one person declared. Another asked, “What is worse? Littledonnie fallen asleep at an event OR one who falls asleep listening to littledonnie trying to talk at an event?”
One commenter offered a slightly softer review.
“Professional Rester, some at 80 are tired and need retire…. I’m a few younger and probably get more shut eye than he does. May not agree with him but must give credit where credit is due. ‘Good Gemini,’” the reader wrote.
The beef confab was not Trump’s first dance with the Sandman.
Earlier this summer, in July, Trump appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open during the rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Dinner. His eyes repeatedly closed as speeches unfolded. The night celebrated journalism. Trump appeared ready to sleep through the coverage.
The next month, he appeared drowsy during an Oval Office event about childhood vaccines. Trump closed his eyes as National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya spoke. His head also tilted before he caught himself.
Three weeks later, the apparent presidential nap tour rolled along.
Trump seemed to doze during an event promoting agreements with pharmaceutical companies. His eyes remained closed for long stretches. At one point, he reportedly slumped forward.
The issue had already reached Capitol Hill.
During a June 3 congressional hearing, Rep. Ted Lieu confronted Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Trump’s apparent naps. Lieu played videos that included Trump sitting with his eyes closed while Rubio spoke nearby.
“That’s false. I’ve never seen him fall asleep,” Rubio insisted. He described Trump as “the guy doesn’t sleep.”
Rubio’s defense now has several more videos to wrestle with.
Trump has also denied falling asleep during public appearances. He has claimed that he was merely “resting his eyes.” White House spokesman Davis Ingle praised Trump’s “unmatched energy” and “relentless work ethic.”
Lara Trump has said her father-in-law sleeps only three or four hours each night. That schedule might explain why his eyelids keep staging public rebellions.
Still, the latest scene delivered an irresistible punchline: Trump invited ranchers over to discuss beef and the internet responded by roasting him well-done.
