Trump, 79, Nods Off During Farm Aid Roundtable

President Donald Trump, 79, struggled to stay awake during a White House roundtable on Monday, blinking slowly and letting his head dip forward as officials walked through plans for new farm aid.

Cameras captured the brief lapse in focus, a moment that stood out even more because Trump is the oldest person ever inaugurated as president, having begun his second non consecutive term at 78 years and 220 days.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined the plan. She said $11 billion would be delivered as one time payments to crop farmers and another $1 billion would be set aside for crops not covered by the Farmer Bridge Assistance program. Rollins said payments are to be made by late February.

As Rollins described the split, the president interrupted, saying, “It’s $12 billion.” The correction was quick and the room moved on, but the clip spread fast online and on television.

Rollins explained how the program will work and who is likely to qualify. Officials said payments will be based on acreage and production so the money goes where it is most needed. Farmers in the room pressed for a clear timeline. For them the main question was simple. When will the checks arrive?

Mr. Trump then grinned and said, “Ahh, very tricky.” The line eased the moment, but it did not erase the impression left by the dozing. Video of the exchange created two narratives at once. One was urgent relief for farm budgets. The other was a question about the president and his stamina.

Officials said the funds would come from the Commodity Credit Corporation and would be offset in part by tariff revenues. The administration presented the package as short term help while trade moves are meant to open longer term markets for U S crops. That ties the aid to the trade fights that have hit many farm operations.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent joined Rollins along with farm leaders and members of Congress. The White House sought to keep attention on the numbers and the payment schedule. But the clip shows how optics can steer a policy message toward personality.

The White House pushed back on coverage that centered on the president’s alertness. Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston said, “The Daily Beast is a trash publication spreading lies daily about President Trump.” The blunt line showed how officials respond when a single clip dominates the news cycle.

Monday’s roundtable followed other footage showing Mr. Trump looking tired in public settings. At a Cabinet meeting earlier in the week cameras caught him leaning back and closing his eyes while others spoke. He has sought to blunt such concerns with direct remarks about his health.

“I’ll tell you when there’s something wrong. There will be someday,” he said. “But right now, I think I am sharper than I was 25 years ago, but who the hell knows? I took my physical. I got all As, everything.” The remarks were meant to reassure even as the video kept circulating.

For farmers the policy details matter most. Officials say the money is intended to ease costs for seed and fertilizer and other rising expenses. The program is designed to target those hurt most by recent market conditions and to get money into accounts by February.

Featured image via screengrab