Trump, 79, Struggles To Keep Eyes Open at 'Board of Peace'

The president was spotted dozing off at the inaugural meeting for the initiative.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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President Donald Trump appeared to be struggling to stay awake as others spoke at his inaugural meeting of the so-called 'Board of Peace.' The president, 79, rambled for more than 45 minutes before taking a seat on stage Thursday as others addressed the group gathered in Washington, DC. Cameras repeatedly caught Trump with his eyes closed as the event dragged on.

Why it matters

This incident is the latest in a series of public gatherings where the oldest president ever elected appeared to nod off in front of the cameras, raising concerns about his stamina and health.

The details

The event kicked off at 9 a.m. ET, but just two hours into it, the president had his eyes shut. This comes after Trump spoke for more than 45 minutes at the start of the meeting.

  • The event kicked off at 9 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • Two hours into the event, the president was spotted with his eyes closed.

The players

Donald Trump

The 79-year-old president of the United States.

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What’s next

This story is developing and will be updated.

The takeaway

The president's apparent struggle to stay awake at public events raises concerns about his health and stamina as the oldest president in U.S. history.