President Biden appeared to rest his eyes during a summit with African leaders in Lobito, Angola, in a moment captured on video.
Sitting in the middle of a table with several officials from African countries, the 82-year-old president can be seen closing his eyes and resting his head as Tazania’s Vice President Philip Mpango speaks.
Biden’s eyes remained closed for more than a minute. Otherwise he was alert and made comments before and after the short period.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Biden appears to rest his eyes during a summit with African leaders in Lobito, Angola, on December 4, 2024. (Reuters)
Several observers on social media said it appeared the president had fallen asleep.
“Joe Biden fell asleep during a meeting with African leaders today,” Outkick founder Clay Travis posted on X. “He is so sharp though! Honestly, this feels intentional. Who puts an 82 year old on a plane for a THREE-DAY trip? to Africa?! Three days! So stupid.”
Biden attends a meeting at a Carrinho facility near Lobito, Angola, on December 4, 2024. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
Jake Schneider, the rapid response director for President-elect Trump’s campaign, joked: “Biden is literally falling asleep at his own meeting in Africa. Who runs the country?”
And Denver radio Presenter Ross Kaminsky, among others, called the episode “embarrassing” for the United States.
Biden shakes hands with Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema as Tanzania’s Vice President Philip Isdor Mpango stands next to them at a Carrinho facility near Lobito, Angola, on December 4, 2024. (REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz)
“It is unbelievable that our enemies have not challenged us more, while we are actually without a president,” Kamisnky said on X.
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden announced $1 billion in humanitarian aid to support Africans displaced by historic droughts and food insecurity.
“The United States remains the world’s largest provider of humanitarian and development assistance. That’s going to increase, you know, that’s the right thing for the richest country in the world to do,” Biden said while speaking in Angola. “Today I am announcing more than $1 billion in new humanitarian support for Africans driven from their homes due to historic droughts and food insecurity. We know that African leaders and citizens are looking for more than just help. You are looking for investments.
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Biden’s visit to Angola this week marks the first time the president has set foot on African soil during his presidency, and it comes as people in North Carolina continue to face challenges after Hurricane Helene caused devastation and devastation in late September.
Last month, the White House requested $98 billion in additional disaster relief funding to support efforts in Helene-affected areas.
Fox News Digital’s Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
