New video footage captures the moment President Donald Trump drifted off to sleep in the Oval Office while introducing a policy that will impact millions of children. The 79-year-old president was seen closing his eyes and even appearing to snore during a signing event in the Oval Office on the previous day.
Trump had signed a legislation permitting school cafeterias to offer whole and 2% milk while in the company of legislators, dairy farmers, and their children at the White House. As officials began discussing the purported benefits of higher-fat milk, the president took a moment to rest his eyes, keeping them shut for around 17 seconds. His attention was only regained when US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins raised her voice.
Before signing the bill, Trump expressed, “Whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican, whole milk is a great thing,” overturning previous restrictions on higher-fat milk options set during the Obama administration. Earlier in the week, the Agriculture Department shared a social media post featuring Trump with a glass of milk and a “milk mustache,” advocating for whole milk consumption.
Under the new law, schools are now allowed to provide nondairy milk meeting milk’s nutritional criteria. Additionally, schools must offer a nondairy milk alternative upon receiving a note from parents stating dietary restrictions for their children.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, a proponent of whole milk in school meals, hailed the new law as a much-needed adjustment to school nutrition policies. These regulations will impact approximately 30 million students enrolled in the National School Lunch Program.
President Trump has previously refuted claims of falling asleep during meetings, explaining to the Wall Street Journal that he often rests his eyes or blinks. Concerns about the president’s health have been mounting, with him undergoing various tests, including cognitive assessments, last year.
Additionally, reports of Trump using makeup to conceal dark bruises on his hands have surfaced, with the White House Press Secretary attributing them to his frequent handshakes and daily aspirin regimen.