It’s not every day you see a former president dozing off during his own trial. But that’s exactly what happened when former President Donald Trump faced legal pressure in New York.

Former President Donald Trump is currently on trial in New York, facing 34 felony charges related to hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The trial is historic because it is the first-ever criminal trial of a sitting or former president, and jury selection began on Monday. However, Trump appears less interested in the proceedings than the rest of the world.

Eyes were on the drama in the courtroom as jury selection began in his unprecedented criminal trial in which he faces 34 felony counts, including charges of tampering with business records to conceal payments to Stormi Daniels.

Yet while everyone else was antsy, Trump seemed to be fighting a losing battle when it came to sleep. His head was reportedly shaking and his mouth was slack – classic signs of dozing off. Soon, the Internet nicknamed him “Sleepy Don,” which took off faster than a dry twig.

Social media platforms have been awash with jokes and speculation, with some suggesting his legal team may have given him a Mickey to keep him calm. Others joked that maybe the judge wouldn’t let him take a nap. Even the Lincoln Project got in on the act, poking fun at Trump’s late-night rants on the Truth social site.

The nickname “Sleepy Don” is particularly striking because Trump has previously referred to his 2024 rival, 81-year-old Joe Biden, as “Sleepy Joe.” Now it seems that Trump has a similar label of his own.

But it’s not all laughs. Some noted the irony that a president who once labeled his opponents “Sleepy Joe” was now struggling to stay awake during such a serious trial. While Trump’s legal team maintains his innocence, his courtroom nap did raise eyebrows, especially given the high stakes involved.

Even seasoned reporters point out that this isn’t the first time Trump has lost focus during legal proceedings. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman recalled similar situations in past trials where Trump looked motionless, almost as if he was catching some Z-words.

While it’s not unheard of for people to nap during court proceedings, Trump’s nap couldn’t have come at a worse time. With the world watching, every move — or lack thereof — is magnified. So, whether it was fatigue, boredom, or something else, one thing’s for sure: Sleepy Don’s moment in the spotlight wasn’t exactly a joy.