Biden Appears to Briefly Fall Asleep During a Meeting with Maui Survivors

President Joe Biden appeared to struggle with jet lag during his visit to Maui after devastating wildfires ravaged the Hawaiian Islands.

Biden was listening to a speaker at a dinner after meeting with survivors of the wildfires when he appeared to shut his eyes. It is unclear whether the president was bowing his head to pray or listen or if he began to fall asleep.

New video from Maui visit appears to show Joe Biden dozing in and out of sleep. pic.twitter.com/JdoBG6qfpu

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 22, 2023

Biden has appeared to fall asleep during visits in the past. Shortly after he took office, the president attended the COP26 climate conference, where he appeared to nod off during the opening speeches.

The president promised further aid to help rebuild Maui on Monday following a visit with first lady Jill Biden, Gov. Josh Green (D-HI), his wife, and other Hawaiian lawmakers. Biden gave a speech to first responders, expressing sympathy and promising assistance.

“The country grieves with you, stands with you, and will do everything possible to help you recover,” Biden said.

Biden said he and Jill Biden have a “little sense” when it comes to losing a home, explaining a fire that occurred in 2004 at a home next to his in Delaware, but he didn’t want to “compare difficulties.”

“To make a long story short, I almost lost my wife, my ‘67 Corvette, and my cat,” Biden said. “But all kidding aside, I watched the firefighters, the way they responded.”

The speech took place at Lahaina, a historic town of roughly 13,000 that had been destroyed in the fires. The wildfires have killed more than 100 people, with officials reporting nearly 850 people unaccounted for.