Man Collapses During Oval Office Announcement with President Trump
During a Thursday press conference in the Oval Office, a man collapsed behind President Donald Trump while announcing a deal with drugmakers to expand Medicare coverage and reduce prices for obesity treatments Zepbound and Wegovy. Officials quickly assisted the man and removed the press from the room.
As the man fell, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz supported his head while he was lowered to the floor. The cause of the collapse remains unknown.
White House Response
“During the Most Favored Nations Oval Office Announcement, a representative with one of the companies fainted. The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay. The Press Conference will resume shortly.”
— White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt
Leavitt confirmed the man was a guest from one of the attending healthcare companies, Eli Lilly or Novo Nordisk. The man did not return to the room after the incident.
Event Resumption and Trump's Statement
About an hour after the fainting, President Trump resumed the event focused on weight-loss drugs. Trump noted that the man had felt lightheaded but was now okay.
President Trump announced a new agreement with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand Medicare coverage and lower costs for the widely used obesity medications.
Summary
The incident highlighted the urgency of the announcement, but the event continued with President Trump's focus on improving drug affordability.
Author's summary: During President Trump's Oval Office announcement on obesity drugs, a company guest fainted but recovered quickly, and the event proceeded with a major Medicare coverage deal.