Overview
- Viral clips from the U.S. Institute of Peace event show President Trump with eyes closed during speeches, including remarks by Major General Jasper Jeffers III and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair.
- Footage circulated widely on social platforms, drawing ridicule and criticism as viewers said he looked asleep during portions of the lengthy session.
- Outlets framed the moment as part of a recurring pattern, though Trump has previously said he sometimes closes his eyes because events are boring and insisted he did not sleep.
- Trump announced about $7 billion in pledges for Gaza from nine members and said Indonesia, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Kosovo and Albania would deploy troops, with Egypt and Jordan committing to train police.
- Initial deployments are expected in Rafah according to Trump’s remarks, and officials have highlighted prior preventive imaging and tests that they say showed good cardiac results.