"Sleepy" Donald Trump has raised eyebrows and health concerns after seemingly dozing off in meetings during his Middle East state visit, reigniting speculation just a month following the reappearance of a mysterious bruise on his hand.
The 78 year old US President inked a staggering £107 billion arms agreement with Saudi Arabia in Riyadh, where he was greeted by a mobile McDonald's upon arrival. However, he appeared to succumb to sleep momentarily in a televised briefing with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a clip that has since gone viral with millions of views.
US journalist Aaron Rupar shared the footage on social media, commenting: "Trump is having a hard time keeping his eyes open."
Another image that spread like wildfire depicted Trump sagging into his seat, head bowed, amidst discussions with Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian officials.
This incident follows just one month after the re-emergence of the mysterious bruise on Trump's hand, fuelling rumours that he may be increasingly dependent on his wife Melania for physical support as he ages, reports the Daily Star.
Concerns over Trump's cognitive health have been sparked anew, with suggestions from a television presenter that he might exhibit signs of "mental illness" or "early-stage dementia".
Given that Trump's father, Fred, passed away in 1999 at 93 from Alzheimer's disease—a condition with some hereditary links—the possibility of Trump being similarly afflicted has been mooted.
Commentator Timothy L. O'Brien observed last week: "Watching how he answers questions now compared to Trump 1.0, he slurs his words a little, he looks weary, he is slouched."
Trump's nephew, Fred Trump III, has voiced concerns that the former president might be facing a similar fate to his father, who suffered from dementia and Alzheimer's into his 90s. The revelation came as he threw his support behind Kamala Harris last year.
He remarked at the time: "Like anyone else, I've seen his decline. But I see it in parallel with the way my grandfather's decline was. If anyone wants to believe that dementia did not run in the Trump family, it's just not true."
Meanwhile, Joe Biden, aged 81 and often referred to as 'Sleepy Joe', exhibited signs of mental fatigue towards the end of his tenure in the Oval Office, including an incident where he reportedly failed to recognise George Clooney at a fundraising event hosted by the actor.
Supporters of the MAGA movement have fiercely defended Trump against these claims, with one source countering to the Daily Mail: "President Trump is traveling the world securing trillions in investments.
"These false smears are a clear attempt to cover up for the revelation that Joe Biden's aides were preparing to put him in a wheelchair."
Another Trump insider maintained: "The only verifiable disease and obvious diagnosis that is plain to see is Trump Derangement Syndrome. President Trump exhausts staffers one-third his age. I speak with him often, and he is before the cameras daily.
"Trump is leading peace deals, trade deals, hostage deals, tax deals and investment deals. Walking and talking was seen as an accomplishment for Biden."
