At 79, Trump has been quietly pushing aides to reduce his daily workload. He has asked for “fewer, more important meetings,” saying he wants to use his time more “efficiently.” He insists the request has nothing to do with his age.
Behind the scenes, staff are not convinced.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, aides are struggling to manage Trump’s schedule while trying to hide signs that he is slowing down.
One major concern has been Trump’s repeated dozing during public appearances. Staff have reportedly urged him to keep his eyes open during meetings that are televised, worried about how it looks when the president appears to fall asleep on camera.
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An insider said aides have had to “counsel” Trump not to shut his eyes during meetings, “fearing the optics of his appearing to fall asleep.”
When Trump learned the Journal was preparing a story about his health, he personally called the paper to defend himself. He denied falling asleep and offered a different explanation.
“I’ll just close my eyes,” Trump said. “It’s very relaxing to me.” He added, “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink.”
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has tried to help by asking Cabinet members to keep presentations short. That effort failed during the December meeting, where Trump again appeared fatigued as officials spoke for hours.
Another issue is Trump’s sleep schedule. He admitted to the Journal that he often stays up until 2 a.m., sending texts to administration figures about their television appearances.
On Air Force One, Trump reportedly struggles to sleep at all. Aides are forced to rotate shifts through the night to keep him company on long flights. Staff say he expects conversation and attention while others try to rest.
Despite this, the White House has pushed back hard on any suggestion that Trump’s health affects his ability to govern.
“President Trump is the hardest-working president the American people have ever had,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “He is literally always working around the clock, seven days a week, to better our country.”
Trump also spoke about the bruises that have been repeatedly spotted on his hands, offering his own explanation. He said he takes a daily 325 milligram aspirin for heart related reasons, a dosage far above what is typically recommended.
According to Trump, doctors have suggested a lower amount, but he has chosen to stay on the higher dose because it is what he has used for years. He claimed the medication is responsible for the visible bruising.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
