A former White House physician has publicly called for a new medical assessment of President Donald Trump, pointing to recent instances where the president appeared to fall asleep during official events.
Cardiologist Raises Alarm Over Public Incidents
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who once treated former Vice President Dick Cheney and now serves as a medical analyst for CNN, took to social media platform X on Wednesday to voice his concerns. He shared a video clip from a bill signing ceremony in the Oval Office on January 15, 2026. The legislation pertained to allowing whole milk in school cafeterias.
The video showed President Trump surrounded by officials, aides, and guests while he appeared to close his eyes for an extended period. Dr. Reiner described the behavior as a sign of "excessive daytime somnolence," a medical term for unwanted drowsiness while awake.
A Pattern of Concerning Behavior
"Repeatedly falling asleep with a dozen people surrounding your desk is not normal," Reiner wrote in his post. "It needs to be evaluated." He noted this was not an isolated event, but part of a pattern observed in recent weeks where Trump has seemed to nod off during public appearances.
This is not the first time Dr. Reiner has expressed worries about the president's health. Just last month, he stated he was "seriously concerned about the health of the president" after Trump delivered a speech where he appeared "unwell," citing an unusual tone and "manic" pacing. "No one should be happy to see the president like this. He looks unwell," Reiner said at the time.
History of Health Critiques
Previously, the doctor has also criticized Trump's reported use of higher-than-recommended doses of aspirin, highlighting a series of health-related critiques from the medical professional. His latest comments shift focus to the president's alertness and energy levels during the daytime, suggesting a formal medical evaluation is warranted to determine the cause of the apparent sleep episodes.
The call from a credentialed physician with insider experience has added a new layer to the ongoing public discussion about the physical and mental fitness of the 45th president. The White House has not yet issued an official response to Dr. Reiner's specific concerns regarding the recent video and his recommendation for an evaluation.
