Donald Trump, former president and routinely a defendant in legal proceedings, has raised eyebrows with his frequent nod-offs in the courtroom. Not typical behavior for any defendant, it invites the question: why is Trump so often asleep on the bench?
One perspective comes from Audrey Wells, a sleep medicine physician, who argues Trump’s situation is indeed unusual for a defendant usually expected to be on high alert in a courtroom. However, Wells indicates that given Trump’s extensive experience on the stand, he might be more familiar and comfortable with the situation, thus allowing room for his frequent sleeping episodes. Further insight into Trump’s courtroom somnolence can be found in Wells’ comprehensive interview with Slate.
Moreover, Wells draws attention to Trump’s potentially heightened risk of a sleep disorder – specifically, sleep apnea. This is due to several factors including his age, gender, neck size, and body mass index. Wells refers to a diagnostic questionnaire called the STOP-Bang, in which scores higher than 3 suggest a moderate to high risk of suffering from obstructive sleep apnea. Trump scores positively on many of the criteria on this scale, providing one possible explanation for his courtroom sleepiness.
It remains to be seen how Trump’s apparent sleep disorder may impact his ongoing courtroom duties and implications therein. For now, his unexpected naps provide an intriguing look into the intersection of health, behavior, and the conduct of legal proceedings.
More information on this development can be found at Above the Law.