Former President Donald Trump is facing ridicule on social media after reportedly falling asleep during the first day of his hush-money criminal trial in New York City. According to reports from journalists who attended the trial, Trump repeatedly dozed off shortly after proceedings began. As he left the courtroom for a break, he allegedly glared at New York Times journalist Maggie Haberman, who had written about his drowsiness. The incident quickly gained traction on social media with hashtags #SleepyDon and #SleepyDonald trending.
Prominent figures and social media users took to Twitter to mock Trump for falling asleep at his own trial. Former U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara expressed disbelief at the situation, while others criticized Trump’s behavior as being unfit for a defendant in a criminal trial. Some suggested humorous scenarios for how Trump could continue to sleep peacefully, while others pointed out the contrast between the reaction to a similar situation involving President Joe Biden.
Trump is facing multiple felony counts in New York related to allegedly falsifying business records to hide payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep her affair with him secret. Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to all charges, as he has done in his other criminal cases as well. He has characterized the legal challenges against him as part of a Democratic-led effort to interfere with the upcoming election, where he hopes to regain the presidency in November.
In addition to Haberman’s account, another New York Times investigative reporter, Susanne Craig, also claimed to have seen Trump nodding off in court. The former president’s purported napping led to a drop in value for his company’s stock. Trump’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the incident. The trial will continue as Trump faces the legal consequences of the hush-money payments and highlights his ongoing legal battles that he describes as a political witch hunt.
The incident has sparked debate online about Trump’s fitness for office and the media’s treatment of him compared to other politicians. Some have pointed out the double standards in how Trump’s actions are portrayed in the media, while others have used the opportunity to criticize his presidency and character. The trial and Trump’s behavior in court have become a focal point of attention as the legal proceedings unfold and as the former president continues to assert his innocence amid the mounting charges against him.
