Former President Donald Trump disputes claims of sleeping in court during his trial, as late-night hosts and social media lambast him with nicknames and jokes.
Former President Donald Trump has refuted allegations that he fell asleep during his trial in New York, claiming he was instead listening intently with his eyes closed. Despite Trump’s denials, journalists present in the courtroom have asserted that they witnessed him sleeping, and this has led to widespread mockery on social media and late-night television.
Trump is on trial for 34 felony counts relating to alleged hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The trial, which is ongoing and is in its third week, is a significant event as it is the first criminal trial of a sitting or former U.S. president.
Mockery of Trump has included nicknames like “Sleepy Don” and “Don Snoreleone,” with courtroom sketches of him with his eyes closed circulating online. Late-night TV hosts Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Seth Meyers have also joined in, making jokes about the situation. They have commented on the irony of Trump’s previous nicknames for Joe Biden and criticized the former president’s ability to remain alert. Despite the levity in the media, Trump’s trial remains a historically pivotal moment.