President Donald Trump appeared to fall asleep during an Oval Office event on Monday, May 11, sparking a wave of criticism that prompted the White House to insist he was merely "blinking." The explanation quickly triggered ridicule online, with critics accusing the Trump administration of trying to "gaslight" the public as videos of the moment spread across social media. White House pushes back after Trump 'nodding off' clip goes viral President Donald Trump hosted an event focused on maternal health alongside Cabinet officials, Alabama Sen. Katie Britt and Dr. Mehmet Oz.