The 79-year-old former president has stirred up a storm online after his reaction to a man fainting beside him went viral.
The incident took place on November 6 during Trump’s announcement of a new weight-loss drug deal. In the middle of the event, a man standing behind the Resolute Desk suddenly collapsed, prompting officials to cut the event short.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that the individual was “OK” and identified him as a representative of one of the healthcare companies present.
The episode occurred as Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking. The man, positioned among other administration officials and executives, appeared to lose consciousness and was quickly assisted by those nearby. “You OK?” Ricks asked as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and others rushed to help. Several attendees carefully lowered the man to the floor and elevated his legs while reporters were escorted out of the room.
Trump stood from behind the desk and looked on as the guest received medical attention. Moments later, cameras captured him turning toward the lens with a blank expression—an image that quickly spread across social media and drew criticism from viewers.
“Trump just standing there without a care in the world,” one Instagram user commented.
Another wrote, “He didn’t call for help. He didn’t do anything. That’s not leadership—it’s an abdication of leadership.”
A third added, “He freezes whenever something human happens,” while others echoed similar sentiments, describing his reaction as “cold” and “unempathetic.”
After the situation was under control, reporters were allowed back into the Oval Office. Trump told them the man had simply felt faint, saying, “You saw he went down. And he’s fine. He’s got doctors’ care.”
Later, Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks identified the individual as “Gordon,” one of the company’s guests. “He became faint, and if you’ve ever been in the Oval Office, you stand a long time and it’s warm,” Ricks explained. “The White House medical staff did a great job, and he’s doing great. Nothing to be concerned about.”
