The President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa with the President of the USA Donald Trump.
Go to sleep, Trump.
Donald Trump is a name we hear several times a day these days, and his health has also been in the spotlight. Among the suspicions that the North American president has dementia, another concern arises: that, like Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Trump sleeps little, and how this can have serious consequences for a head of state about to turn 80.
The American president has in the past slept only about five hours a nighta number that, according to most scientists, is below the recommended level for maintaining physical and cognitive health, especially in a person of such advanced age.
That was in 2017. But this year, in January, a White House source told Sky News Australia: “Man does not sleep” and is awake about 20 hours a day, he said.
What Science Says
Although sleep needs vary from individual to individual, science points to a ideal range between seven and nine hours per night in the adult population, including the elderly.
Even though aging can bring changes in sleep patterns, such as more early morning hours and poorer quality sleep, this does not mean that older people need to sleep less. On the contrary: rest continues to be essential to preserve memory, attention and the body’s general balance.
Trump is described as someone with a demanding lifestyle, with sleepless nights and has even fallen asleep in meetings and public events, as suspected three months ago and… this Monday, during a National Guard meeting in Memphis (second video).
These signs raise new questions about the impact of insufficient sleep on daily performance and ability to concentrate. Although he himself downplayed some of these situations, experts point out that sleep deprivation can seriously affect vigilance and mental clarity.
The risks associated with too little sleep are well documented. Among the most frequent consequences are cognitive problems, hypertension, increased likelihood of heart attack and strokein addition to an increased risk of diabetes. In the long term, lack of sleep can contribute to a general decline in health, something that is particularly worrying at older ages.
In cases of insomnia, some experts admit the cautious use of over-the-counter medications, but warn of relevant adverse effects — especially for a president.
Substances such as diphenhydramine are associated with confusion, falls, constipation, dry mouth and memory problems, and there is also evidence of a possible link to an increased risk of insanity. Even melatonin, usually seen as a gentler alternative, may raise concerns when used long-term.
It is worth remembering that, with the victory in the 2024 elections, Trump the oldest American president ever at the beginning of a term.
