What Is Sundown Syndrome? Many Say Trump's Sleepy Behavior Feels Eerily Familiar

In nursing homes, elderly care wings, and geriatric health centers, sundowning syndrome is a well-known phrase. Used to describe the attitude and habits of older patients with Alzheimer's or dementia, the condition outlines the rise in agitation, anxiety, and disorientation felt by these patients typically between the hours of dusk to nightfall. 

In these care centers, or even in small doses at home, the drug Haldol has been used to help curb these behaviors, which often results in a visible tiredness that has been nicknamed "Haldol Hangover." Used to address the effects of sundowning at the time the effects show, Haldol can result in this tired expression during early to late evening hours. Given the conversation around President Donald Trump and memory attacking diseases, like dementia, a discussion has broken out online speculating that the spike in sleepy photos of "The Apprentice" host could be a result of this sundowning treatment. 

If you've ever worked in a nursing home, you've seen this before. We used to call it a haldol hangover. pic.twitter.com/ivpZbMqVk6

— Dittie (@DittiePE) December 18, 2025

In October 2025, the president bragged that he had taken an IQ test, but his description of the exam soon revealed a different truth. The test was not to measure his IQ, but rather a screening test given to dementia patients. This revelation had many concerned that the president was showing signs of memory loss behind closed doors. Though no follow up has come, his sleepy behavior has alerted medical professionals online who have since referred to this habit as a telling sign of Trump's declining mental health. 

"There's a term when you're talking about people with dementia called sundowning, it's a lot harder for them as the day goes on," clinical psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis explained to The Independent, adding, "It's very difficult for them to maintain focus on a topic." Michaelis noted that, given Trump's behavior as recent as September 2025, he believed the president was not showing signs of a strong mental or cognitive condition. 

This struggle with staying focused on a topic is something that, though a common thread throughout the president's entire two terms, has been seemingly on the rise in his second term. Dr. Michaelis' concerns were echoed by top psychologist Dr. John Gartner, who claimed that Trump was suggesting worrying signs of dementia even before his seemingly uncontrollable sleeping habits (via Daily Beast). 

Most of this conversation falls in line with The New York Times' deep dive into the president's health where it was outlined that the former "Miss Universe" owner's meeting and sleep schedule showed some worrying signs. As the publication noted, the Commander in Chief's meeting schedule had been shortened to start later and end earlier, which some have suggested to be due to the alleged sundowning. Not to mention that Trump's brief 4-hour sleep schedule at night, though praised as impressive, could be the result of insomnia, a condition brought on by sundowning.