President Joe Biden’s apparent doze during former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral became a viral moment when First Lady Jill Biden was caught on camera forcefully nudging him awake as his head drooped forward during the service. The gesture, captured on multiple news feeds, sparked immediate public reaction and added to a growing list of public lapses that have increasingly overshadowed his diplomatic engagements and ceremonial duties.
Social media erupted within minutes of the broadcast. “Biden is taking a nap at Jimmy Carter’s funeral,” posted one user on X, sharing footage of the president appearing to rest his eyes. Another observer wrote, “Joe Biden fell asleep within the first minutes of Jimmy Carter’s funeral,” while a third user quipped, “If you had Joe Biden falling asleep 30 seconds into Jimmy Carter’s funeral, you’re a winner.”
Former President George W. Bush, seated directly behind Biden, was captured on camera leaning forward multiple times, attempting to engage with him to ensure the President remained alert during the service. Bush’s repeated forward movements suggested ongoing concern throughout the ceremony.
Body language expert Patti Wood defended Biden by providing an alternative explanation for his behavior at the funeral. She explained that rather than falling asleep, the president may have been displaying natural signs of mourning for Carter, a close friend and colleague of several decades. Wood told the media that people experiencing intense grief or emotional pain commonly close their eyes as a coping mechanism. She elaborated that this eye-closing behavior is a typical grief response frequently observed at funerals, as individuals instinctively try to block out overwhelming emotions by shutting their eyes.
The funeral incident follows a concerning pattern of similar episodes during crucial diplomatic engagements. During a December 2024 summit in Angola, multiple cameras captured Biden with closed eyes for over 60 seconds while Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango delivered a presentation on African economic development. The footage, which quickly circulated globally, shows Biden briefly opening his eyes before appearing to drift off again. Hours earlier, during formal remarks, Biden had referred to Angola, the host nation, as a “vibrant city” rather than a country.
Democratic strategist David Carlucci addressed concerns about Biden’s apparent fatigue after footage emerged of the president appearing to doze off in Angola. In comments to Sky News host Gabriella Power, Carlucci suggested that Biden’s behavior might result from an intensive push to accomplish objectives in his final presidential weeks. While acknowledging the concerning optics of the moment, Carlucci defended Biden by emphasizing that this single incident shouldn’t overshadow the diplomatic achievements of his Angola visit. The strategist suggested that the president might be pushing himself too hard with his demanding schedule.
The President himself has acknowledged these challenges. During a particularly tense moment in a 2024 presidential debate against Trump, Biden admitted he “nearly fell asleep” on stage, attributing his fatigue to jet lag from extensive international travel. The candid admission came after debate viewers had taken to social media to note his apparent struggle to maintain engagement throughout the three-hour event.
Not all allegations about Biden’s alertness have proven accurate. In 2023, claims that he dozed during a Maui wildfire memorial were debunked when high-resolution C-SPAN footage revealed him coughing and nodding while looking downward. The incident highlighted the challenge of distinguishing between genuine lapses and misleading narratives in an era of instant viral content.
The Carter funeral also exposed deep fissures within America’s political establishment. While Biden struggled to maintain alertness, other political dynamics played out around him. First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris conspicuously avoided interaction throughout the service. Harris and her husband orchestrated a last-minute seating change to avoid proximity to President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s absence, as she remained in Hawaii for an extended holiday, led to an unexpected seating arrangement that placed Barack Obama next to Donald Trump. The two former Presidents were observed engaging in animated conversation, drawing attention from mourners.