Trump’s Oval Office Memory Lapse Stuns Staff

President Donald Trump experienced another moment of apparent confusion on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, at a key White House event, as he struggled to identify Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who were standing directly behind him in the Oval Office during a meeting with Apple CEO Tim Cook.

The 79-year-old president hosted Cook at the White House to announce Apple’s plan to invest an additional $100 billion in U.S. manufacturing, increasing the tech company’s total American investment commitment to $600 billion over four years. Cook presented Trump with a personalized glass ornament featuring a 24-karat gold base during the announcement.

As Trump began his speech at the podium, he appeared to briefly forget that his cabinet members were present. “I’d like to welcome to the White House one of the great and most esteemed business leaders and geniuses and innovators anywhere in the world, Apple CEO Tim Cook,” Trump said. “Thanks as well to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for being here, wherever you may be.”

Lutnick, who was positioned directly behind the president throughout the event, responded by saying, “I’m right behind you,” which seemed to surprise Trump. The president then quipped, “Oh hey fellas, I missed you” upon realizing their location.

This incident marks the second time in recent weeks that Trump has appeared to lose track of attendees standing nearby during official events. At a veterans bill signing ceremony on July 31, Trump similarly struggled to identify the lawmakers present.

While signing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act into law, Trump was accompanied by the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin, and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mike Bost of Illinois. After speaking for about two minutes about the legislation, Trump paused mid-sentence and asked, “Where’s Derrick? Derrick?” even though Van Orden was standing just feet away.

Van Orden responded by saying, “I’m here Sir,” prompting the president to turn around and acknowledge him. Trump then noticed Bost and added, “And Mike? How are you Mike?”

During Wednesday’s Apple event, Trump also made unusual comments regarding Cook’s physical abilities. “Tim has just about every quality he can have other than athleticism. I don’t know about that. I’m looking at him. I’m not, I’m not a 100% sure about you [being] a good athlete. I’ll bet you’re pretty good,” Trump said while looking at the Apple executive.

The Apple investment announcement comes as Trump has threatened to impose significant tariffs on semiconductors and other imported goods. Cook’s visit appeared aimed at securing favorable treatment for Apple amid the administration’s trade policies.

Apple’s expanded commitment includes establishing what Trump described as “the largest and most sophisticated smart glass production line in the world,” with the company planning to source cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch products from a Corning facility. The investment is part of Apple’s broader American Manufacturing Program.

At a White House ceremony on August 5, 2025, President Trump referred to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem as “Cristie Kerr,” confusing her with a professional golfer, only to laugh it off and jokingly note that she’s “a better golfer than you” — an error widely interpreted as a senior moment.

Earlier this month, he made a false claim that his uncle, John Trump, had taught the Unabomber at MIT—a statement impossible to be true since his uncle died in 1985 and the Unabomber was not identified until 1996 and never attended MIT — prompting scholars to cite it as an example of confabulation.

Additionally, Trump recently alleged that the United States gave $60 million in aid to Gaza two weeks ago and that no other country had contributed—an assertion contradicted by actual aid from the U.K. and EU, which was widely reported and not acknowledged in his remarks.

Public health experts and media analysts have since pointed to these and similar lapses—frequent digressions, incomplete thoughts, misremembered facts—as increasing signs that warrant serious concern about his cognitive acuity.

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