Trump's Drowsiness Dominates Inaugural Board of Peace Meeting
President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of his much-discussed Board of Peace in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, February 19, 2026, but observers noted the president seemed physically absent for significant portions of the three-hour gathering. The meeting, assembled to raise funds for the rebuilding and stabilization of Gaza, was overshadowed by Trump's apparent struggle to remain alert throughout the proceedings.
A Pattern of Public Drowsiness Emerges
Video footage and social media posts from the event captured multiple instances where Trump appeared to have difficulty keeping his eyes open. "Trump continues to struggle to stay awake as this interminable 'Board of Peace' meeting drags on. We're two and a half hours into this!" posted journalist Aaron Rupar on X, formerly Twitter, alongside a video showing the president nodding off.
This incident is not an isolated occurrence. Trump has displayed similar behavior at several public events over recent months, raising questions about his stamina during official functions.
Rambling Remarks Amidst Sleepiness
During moments of wakefulness, Trump reportedly engaged in his characteristic discursive speaking style. His comments ranged widely, including remarks on the physical appearance of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, as well as expressions of disappointment over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
The juxtaposition of these meandering speeches with periods of visible drowsiness created a disjointed atmosphere for the high-profile meeting intended to address serious international humanitarian efforts.
Historical Context of Presidential Naps
Thursday's episode follows a concerning pattern observed since mid-2025. Last July, Trump had noticeable difficulty maintaining alertness during a televised White House event focused on health technology initiatives. The situation escalated in November when California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly mocked Trump as "Dozy Don" after the president seemed to fall asleep during a press meeting.
The trend continued into early December, with Trump appearing barely able to stay awake at two separate events occurring less than a week apart. These repeated incidents have transformed occasional observations into a recognizable pattern of behavior during the president's public engagements.
Implications for Presidential Duties
While occasional fatigue might be expected during lengthy meetings, the frequency and visibility of these episodes have sparked discussions about how such behavior might impact the execution of presidential responsibilities. The Board of Peace meeting, intended as a serious diplomatic and fundraising initiative, instead became dominated by narratives about the president's alertness levels rather than its substantive goals for Gaza reconstruction.
The White House has not issued any official statement addressing the president's apparent drowsiness during Thursday's meeting or previous similar incidents. As Trump continues his schedule of public appearances and official functions, observers will be watching to see if this pattern persists or if adjustments are made to the president's engagement protocol.
