Donald Trump has sparked health concerns once again after seemingly “struggling to keep his eyes open” while his wife delivered an important speech. Sleep appeared to be getting the better of the 79-year-old as he stood by Melania Trump’s side while she spoke about a new executive order.

Footage showed the US president opening and closing his eyes and appearing to be blinking slowly. Mr Trump’s tired disposition sparked concerns on social media, with one X user writing: “Despite standing, Trump seems to be having trouble keeping his eyes open while Melania speaks.” Another added: “It seems that after ‘sleepy Joe’, we have a newer version in ‘sleepy Donald’.”

It came after the First Lady joined her husband for a rare joint executive order signing ceremony on Thursday. The directive expands resources for teenagers in the foster care system.

The executive order, signed by both Trumps, is intended to boost the First Lady’s Fostering the Future programme, which aims to support young people moving out of foster care through scholarships and educational opportunities.

Fostering the Future is part of the first lady’s Be Best initiative, which she launched during the first Trump administration to promote the wellbeing of children, including by countering bullying and drug addiction.

Mrs Trump was met with a huge round of applause after her speech. The president then took the microphone after giving his wife a kiss.

Mr Trump said: “Why, thank you, Melania, and our country is truly blessed to have this magnificent and very caring First Lady.

“They love her. Every time I get up and make a speech, they say ‘we want our First Lady’. I say ‘what the hell, am I not good enough?’.”

It comes after the BBC apologised to Mr Trump following accusations of a misleading video edit. The corporation maintained, however, that there was no basis for his bombshell defamation claim.