Democratic strategists took to social media to criticize former President Donald Trump, who appeared to fall asleep during the first day of his hush money trial in New York. Observations from journalists and onlookers suggested that Trump seemed to nod off at various points during the proceedings.
Maggie Haberman, a senior political correspondent at The New York Times, reported on CNN that Trump “appeared to be asleep” as he “routinely” let his head drop and his “jaw kept falling on his chest.”
Trump ‘falls asleep in court’ (Credits: New York Magazine)
The episode sparked a flurry of comments from Democratic figures, highlighting the former president’s apparent lapse. Kate Bedingfield, former communications director to President Joe Biden, mockingly tweeted, “Sleepy Don.”
Dan Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Obama, questioned Trump’s alertness, positing what such behavior might imply if it occurred in critical situations like the Situation Room.
Jim Messina, Obama’s 2012 campaign manager, and Democratic strategist Chris Jackson echoed these sentiments, with Messina spotlighting Haberman’s comment during her CNN interview and Jackson sharing a photograph of a weary Trump.
The incident also prompted Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of the progressive group Indivisible, to suggest a potential media double standard, proposing that if Biden had been the one to fall asleep, it would have led every newscast and been heavily covered by outlets like Fox News.
Trump hush money trial (Credits: NDTV)
Journalist Jemele Hill emphasized the disparity in media treatment between Biden and Trump regarding issues of age and alertness. Former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Steele also chimed in humorously about the situation, remarking on the challenges of aging and the rigors of a trial.
The controversy arose during the jury selection phase of Trump’s trial, which centers on allegations that he falsified business records to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 presidential election.
The trial is expected to feature extensive testimonies and scrutinize Trump’s actions and behavior during the 2016 campaign.
