President Donald Trump's latest appearance in the Oval Office on Thursday has triggered a wave of alarm and concern on social media, sparking new calls for his removal via the 25th Amendment. Critics highlighted several moments during the event, including a claim that he won all 50 states in the presidential election. "Probably we won all 50 if we had an honest count if you wanna know the truth," he declared. In reality, Trump won 31 states in 2024.
Trump Promenade Proposal
In another instance, Trump expressed a desire to build a new path connecting the Lincoln Memorial to the Potomac River, insisting that "they" want to name it "the Trump Promenade" in his honor. He did not specify who "they" are.
Sleeping Incidents
Perhaps most concerning to observers was Trump's apparent struggle to stay alert. Video footage showed him sitting back in his chair and dozing off, a pattern that has been observed in numerous public appearances since his return to office.
Critics sounded the alarm, with some referencing the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This amendment allows the vice president and a majority of the Cabinet to declare a president unable to perform their duties, making the vice president the acting president. If the president disputes the decision, Congress decides with a two-thirds vote in both houses required to keep the president out of office.
Lawmaker Reactions
Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari called the situation a "national security crisis" in a post on X, stating, "Donald Trump fell asleep multiple times in the Oval Office today. AGAIN. That's why I've called for the 25th Amendment, and dozens of my colleagues have done the same. Donald Trump is unwell and must be removed from office."
Other critics, including Representative Ted Lieu, echoed these sentiments, questioning the president's health and the frequency of his medical visits. Joe Walsh, a former congressman, suggested Trump "should be in a room with padded walls" and called for the 25th Amendment. Representative Maxwell Frost questioned who "they" are in Trump's promenade proposal, while former Representative Barbara Comstock noted that naming rights typically come posthumously through congressional designation.
Medical professionals also weighed in. Dr. Jonathan Reiner pointed out the omission of any mention of a sleep disorder in the president's recent physical examination. Dr. Nick Mark, a pulmonary specialist, stated that falling asleep in such a manner is "very suggestive of a sleep disorder" and called for a sleep study and honesty from the president's doctors about his declining health.
Social media users expressed a range of reactions, from mockery to serious concern. Some compared the situation to Hillary Clinton's "3am phone call" ad from the 2008 primary season, while others argued that anyone else sleeping on the job would be fired. The Democratic Party account referred to Trump as "The Commander-in-Sleep."
The incident has reignited debates about the president's fitness for office, with many calling for transparency regarding his health and the implementation of the 25th Amendment.
