The session, which lasted over 90 minutes, showed the 79-year-old president with his eyes closed for long periods, leading many to wonder if he was falling asleep or simply resting his eyes.
A continuously focused television camera on Trump recorded several moments where the president appeared to struggle to stay alert while listening to his secretaries' interventions. In some shots, he is seen leaning back in his chair, with drooping eyelids and, at times, completely closed.
The episode comes days after The New York Times published a detailed report on the president's schedule and physical endurance. Trump responded by criticizing the article and asserting that "Trump is in shape", before inviting each cabinet member to speak extensively during the meeting.
The circulated images have fueled public conversation about the president's health and vitality, a topic that once again places him at the center of the political and media debate in the United States.