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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has explained why on multiple occasions he has been seen in recent months with his eyes closed -as if he were sleeping- during cabinet meetings, a situation that has fueled speculation about his physical and mental health.
Instead of attributing it to fatigue or a state of drowsiness, the president has attributed it to the boredom that those meetings cause him.
"They are extremely boring," he declared, without losing his characteristic provocative tone, in an interview published this Monday by New York Magazine.
The revelation is part of an extensive report published by the magazine this Monday, which addressed the growing concerns about the health of the 79-year-old president, especially following the appearance of bruises on his hands and certain public moments where he seemed to be drowsy.
"I close my eyes, but I hear everything."
During the interview, Trump detailed how he experiences those long sessions with his team.
“I walk around the room and I have 28 guys. Last time it was three and a half hours. I have to lean back and listen, and I wave my hand so that people know I am paying attention,” he stated, in a mix of candor and disdain for the institutional ritual.
"I hear every word and can't wait to get out of there," she added.
In response to criticism accusing him of dozing off during official duties, the president insisted that closing his eyes does not mean disconnecting from the discussion.
“I hear every word”, he emphasized.
Health in Focus: Between Medical Reports and Makeup
Although Trump claims to feel "just like 40 years ago," his physical condition has become a topic of scrutiny since his return to power a year ago.
The visible bruises on his hands, in particular, have raised suspicions.
The president himself recently referred to one of them, attributing it to an accidental blow during his participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The White House, for its part, has stated that it is due to the frequent handshakes.
In an attempt to clear up doubts, a medical report was published last summer revealing that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in older individuals.
However, the document concluded that the president enjoys "excellent health."
Legal threats against the press
Beyond the medical content, one of the tensest moments of the interview occurred when Trump issued a direct warning to the present journalist: “If you’re going to write a bad story about my health, I’m going to sue New York Magazine.”
Although phrased in an informal tone, the threat was clear.
“There will come a time when you can write that story, maybe in two, three, five years... and I suppose no one will care. Go ahead, have a seat,” she added.
Such comments are not new.
The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, has also resorted to similar threats. Recently, The New York Times revealed an audio recording in which Leavitt warned a CBS News team that the president would sue if his interview with Tony Dokoupil was edited: "He said, 'Make sure not to cut the tape, make sure the interview goes out in full. If you don't publish it completely, we will sue you.'"
Although some attendees interpreted the comments as a joke, the line between warning and threat does not seem clear, especially considering Trump's legal history with the press.
"The Superhuman President": The Official Narrative
From the White House, the communication strategy revolves around emphasizing Trump's physical endurance and executive ability. The article from New York Magazine gathers testimonials from members of his team that support this narrative. Eric Trump, his son, and several officials highlight his tireless energy and dedication.
Steven Cheung, director of communications, told Fox News Digital.
“In just one year, he has achieved what most presidents accomplish in their entire term.” And he added: “Any media outlet that tries to invent lies about President Trump should be prepared to face a good lawsuit.”
In the same vein, during the interview, Trump turned to his doctors for real-time confirmation: "Do I have perfect health?" he asked. "Your health is excellent, sir," replied Dr. James Jones, one of the medical officials present.
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