Moments during the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, where President Joe Biden seemingly dozed off, went viral. First Lady Jill Biden was seen nudging him awake on camera as his head subtly dipped forward during the service. This was captured by several news outlets, triggered instant public reactions, and added to a series of public lapses that have been increasingly eclipsing his diplomatic assignments and ceremonial responsibilities.
Minutes after the broadcast, social media erupted with reactions. One user posted a video with the caption, “Biden is taking a nap at Jimmy Carter’s funeral,” while another commented, “Joe Biden fell asleep within the first minutes of Jimmy Carter’s funeral.” Yet another user humorously suggested that if anyone had predicted Biden falling asleep in the first 30 seconds, they would have been correct.
Former President George W. Bush, who was sitting directly behind Biden, was seen on camera leaning forward several times in an apparent attempt to engage with him and ensure he stayed awake during the service. The repeated forward movements by Bush hinted at an ongoing concern throughout the ceremony.
Body language expert Patti Wood offered a different perspective on Biden’s behavior at the funeral. She explained that Biden may have been showing natural signs of mourning for Carter, a longtime friend and colleague. Wood shared with the media that people often close their eyes as a coping mechanism during intense grief or emotional pain, adding that this behavior is a common response observed at funerals as people instinctively shut their eyes to block out overwhelming emotions.
This incident at the funeral is part of a concerning pattern of similar episodes during important diplomatic events. At a December 2024 summit in Angola, multiple cameras caught Biden with his eyes closed for over a minute while Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango presented on African economic development. This footage, which was widely circulated, shows Biden briefly opening his eyes before seeming to drift off again. Earlier that day, during formal remarks, Biden referred to Angola, the host nation, as a “vibrant city,” not a country.
David Carlucci, a Democratic strategist, addressed concerns about Biden’s apparent fatigue following the emergence of the footage showing the president appearing to doze off in Angola. Speaking to Sky News host Gabriella Power, Carlucci speculated that Biden’s behavior could be due to an intensive push to meet objectives in the final weeks of his presidency. Despite acknowledging the concerning optics, Carlucci defended Biden, stating that this single incident should not overshadow the diplomatic achievements of his Angola visit. He suggested that the president might be overworking himself.
Biden himself has admitted to these challenges. During a particularly intense moment in a 2024 presidential debate against Trump, he confessed that he “nearly fell asleep” on stage, attributing his fatigue to jet lag from extensive international travel. This frank admission followed social media users noting his apparent struggle to stay engaged throughout the three-hour event.
However, not all claims about Biden’s alertness have been accurate. In 2023, accusations that he dozed off during a Maui, Hawaii wildfire memorial were debunked when high-resolution C-SPAN footage showed him coughing and nodding while looking downward. This incident underscored the difficulty of differentiating between actual lapses and misleading narratives in the era of instant viral content.
The Carter funeral also revealed significant divisions within the American political establishment. Even as Biden struggled to stay awake, other political dynamics unfolded around him. First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris noticeably avoided each other during the service. Harris and her husband made a last-minute seating change to stay away from President-elect Donald Trump and Melania Trump. The absence of former First Lady Michelle Obama, who was on an extended vacation in Hawaii, resulted in an unexpected seating arrangement that placed Barack Obama next to Donald Trump. The animated conversation between the two former Presidents drew the attention of the mourners.
