Newly released video captures the moment Donald Trump dozed off in the Oval Office while introducing a policy that will impact millions of children. During a recent signing ceremony, the 79-year-old US president was observed closing his eyes and even appearing to snore briefly.
Trump signed a bill allowing school canteens to offer whole and 2% milk, accompanied by lawmakers, dairy farmers, and children at the White House. As officials highlighted the perceived benefits of higher-fat milk, the president took a moment to rest his eyes, keeping them closed for about 17 seconds. He only opened them when US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins raised her voice.
Stating, “Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, whole milk is a great thing,” Trump signed the bill, which reversed restrictions on higher-fat milk options from the Obama era. Earlier, the Agriculture Department shared a social media post featuring Trump with a glass of milk sporting a “milk mustache” and the message: “Drink Whole Milk.”
Under the new law, schools can serve nondairy milk meeting milk’s nutritional standards and must offer a nondairy milk alternative if students present a parental note citing dietary restrictions. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, a proponent of whole milk in school menus, hailed the law as a necessary correction to school nutrition policy.
The updated regulations will impact approximately 30 million students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program. Trump, who has previously refuted claims of falling asleep during meetings, explained that he sometimes closes his eyes or blinks for relaxation.
Amid concerns about Trump’s health, including cognitive tests last year, reports have surfaced of him using makeup to conceal dark bruises on his hands, attributed to his extensive handshaking due to numerous daily meetings in the Oval Office and his daily aspirin regimen, which can contribute to bruising, as per White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.