Did Donald Trump Doze Off During Republican National Convention? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video

A video appearing to show former US president Donald Trump dozing off during a speech at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee has gone viral on social media.

The video has allowed his detractors to criticise him and accuse him of being unfit for the role because Trump earlier attacked his rival and US President Joe Biden for dozing off, giving him the nickname ‘Sleepy Joe’.

The clip, filmed during Harmeet Dhillon’s speech, shows Trump appearing to momentarily drift off while his running mate, JD Vance, remains alert beside him.

“He Can’t Stay Awake At The RNC!! He Sleep Bih!!!!! The Media Give Dude All The Passes!!!” a X user, who goes by the username @plies and is often critical of Donald Trump, said, sharing the tweet with a bunch of Rolling on the Floor Laughing emojis.

Their video post garnered over a million views.

Later, CBS News’ verification producer Jim La Porta tried to clarify the situation in a separate post on social media site X. He said Donald Trump’s eyes were closed not because he was asleep but because he was listening to a prayer recited by Pastor James Roemke, which was also the time the clip was shot.

However, Newsweek said that the clip that is going viral was shot when National Committeewoman of the Republican National Committee for California Harmeet Dhillon was delivering her remarks.

Harmeet Dhillon delivered an ‘Ardas’ prayer at the Republican National Convention (RNC) with former President Donald Trump in attendance.

Trump was spotted minutely listening to the prayer song sung by Dhillon.

“These last 48 hours have been some of the most intense, yet more prayerful of our lives, the heinous attack on President Trump and his supporters made all of us pause and seek answers in comfort,” Dhillon said.

The Indian-American lawyer and civil rights activist was referring to Donald Trump narrowly escaping an assassination attempt at a political rally Saturday. The shooter, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of nearby Bethel Park, was killed by a Secret Service sniper. The bullet struck the former president in the ear.

“We recite the Ardas prayer before any new endeavour, giving thanks to God and asking for his protection and help to uphold the values of humility, truth, courage, service, and justice for all,” she further added.

The Newsweek report also highlighted that during Roemke’s prayer, the vast majority of the audience had their eyes closed, including Trump and Vance.

Footage from Harmeet Dhillon’s Ardas recital also showed a section of the crowd praying with their heads bowed. Trump was seen listening to Dhillon with his eyes open.