Former President Donald Trump is full of surprises, but no one expected this most recent story. The businessman will spend four days a week in court for the next six weeks or so during his hush money trial. According to a New York Times reporter, who was present in court, the 77-year-old actually dozed off during the legal proceedings.
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Given that Trump likes to call his opponent, current President Joe Biden, ‘Sleepy Joe’, this is unfortunate for his reputation. As you might expect, the internet has gone wild with this information. Here’s everything you need to know.
Snoozing Trump
Trump appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday 15 April as the first US President to stand criminal trial over hush money allegations. Heading into the building, he said his was a ‘case that should never have been brought, it’s an assault on America’ and claimed he was therefore ‘proud to be here’.
Proud or not, according to journalist Maggie Haberman, Trump’s ‘head keeps dropping down and his mouth goes slack’. She wrote this update on a New York Times blog post and after Trump left the courtroom for a short break, he came back and reportedly glared at her. New York Times investigative reporter Susanne Craig corroborated Haberman’s claims, stating that Trump’s ‘head nodded down’ then ‘jolted back up’.
Internet reaction
This news story sparked a huge reaction on X, with the explosion of hashtags such as #SleepyDon and #SleepyDonald taking over the platform. Lawyer and legal commentator Tristan Snell got straight to the point with his post:
Trump fell asleep at his criminal trial. Looks like Sleepy Don is too old and low-energy to be president.
Others have been a bit more creative, such as social media personality Joanne ‘JoJoFromJerz’ Carducci. She wrote:
Honestly, let him sleep. Wheel him into a fake Oval Office on the back nine of Trump National, tell him he's the president, hand him a Diet Coke and a hamberder, play a nature video, quietly close the door, and walk away. #SleepyDon"
Some have pointed out that, while Biden’s age has been a hot topic, it is Trump who is showing signs of fatigue.
Trump’s trial
The former President has been charged with falsifying records to cover up a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Daniels allegedly had an affair with the President in 2006, and he later paid her hush money so she wouldn't speak out about during his 2016 campaign.
Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen reportedly made a $130,000 payment to Daniels in the days leading up to the 2016 election. Trump is said to have reimbursed Cohen in 2017, under the guise of paying legal fees.
Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison in 2018 for tax evasion and campaign finance violations. It is therefore not terribly surprising that he and his old boss are no longer on good terms. Cohen has called Trump the ‘most dangerous person’ in the US while the ex President has called Cohen a ‘disgraced attorney and felon’. Both Cohen and Daniels will take the stand during the trial.
Read more:
⋙ Donald Trump: The former President broke gag order within 24 hours
⋙ Donald Trump: White House correspondent's new book reveals details about his marriage to Melania
⋙ Donald Trump: Wife Melania criticised for seemingly unenthusiastic demeanour at fundraising event
Sources used:
Newsweek: Donald Trump Falling Asleep at Trial Sparks Flood of Mockery
The Telegraph: Trump ‘falls asleep in court’
