President Biden was seen appearing to rest his eyes during a summit with African leaders in Lobito, Angola. The moment, captured on video, showed him seated at a table with various officials. As Tanzania's Vice President Philip Mpango spoke, Biden closed his eyes and rested his head.
His eyes stayed shut for over a minute. However, he was otherwise alert, delivering remarks before and after the brief pause. The White House has yet to comment on the incident.
Social media observers quickly reacted. Some suggested the president had fallen asleep. Outkick founder Clay Travis wrote on X, "Joe Biden fell asleep during a meeting with African leaders today. He’s sharp as a tack though! Honestly, this feels intentional. Who puts an 82-year-old on a plane for a THREE DAY trip to Africa?! Three days! So dumb."
Jake Schneider, formerly Trump’s rapid response director, quipped, "Biden literally falls asleep during his own meeting in Africa. Who's running the country?" Others, like Denver radio host Ross Kaminsky, called it an "embarrassing" moment for the U.S.
"It's incredible that our enemies haven't challenged us more while we're basically without a president," Kaminsky shared on X. His comment echoed broader concerns about Biden’s perceived energy level.
Earlier in the day, Biden announced a significant aid package. Speaking in Angola, he pledged $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Africans displaced by drought and food insecurity.
"The United States continues to be the world's largest provider of humanitarian aid and development assistance," Biden said. "Today I'm announcing over $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans displaced from homes by historic droughts and food insecurity. We know African leaders and citizens are seeking more than just aid. You seek investment."
The trip marked Biden’s first visit to Africa as president. It came amid ongoing recovery efforts in North Carolina, still grappling with Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
In September, the hurricane caused widespread destruction. Last month, the White House requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to support recovery in affected areas.