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Trump sounds ‘tired’ and ‘defeated’ on Fox & Friends call, Internet calls him 'a zombie’

Late for the live telephonic interview by 45 minutes, the president sounded quite tired with an evident raspy and hoarse voice

As America braces for the 59th quadrennial presidential election, Donald Trump made an appearance on 'Fox & Friends'. Late for the live telephonic interview by 45 minutes, the president sounded quite tired with an evident raspy and hoarse voice. When asked what would happen if Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden wins and Democrats take control of the Senate while maintaining their House majority, Trump gave a dire warning.

"Our country could never be the same country if they win," he said, specifically referring to Democrats' threats to change Senate rules and expand the Supreme Court so they could add liberal justices," he said. "If they pack the courts that will be a terrible thing." Talking about how he has a "very solid chance of winning," Trump rejected the idea of a premature declaration, saying he would make an announcement "only when there's victory," and that there is "no reason to play games."

The 74-year-old also made a reference to the “Don't say that, I'll start to cry,” remark after hearing loud chants of “WE LOVE YOU!” reverberating at his rally. When Steve Doocy asked, “Were you a little emotional then because that could have been your last rally in your political life?” Trump remarked, “I was kidding,” adding, “That would be very bad for my image as president.” However, it was his “tired” and “defeated” voice that became a huge topic of discussion on Twitter.  

"Trump sounded exhausted and defeated throughout that Fox & Friends interview. All parties involved understood it might be the end of the line," Vox journalist Aaron Rupar wrote after sharing a clip from his interview. NYT journalist Maggie Haberman said, "The president was 45 minutes late for his Fox and Friends interview. He’s now on. His voice sounds very husky."

CNN reporter Daniel Dale said, "Trump is now on Fox & Friends, sounding more subdued and talking slower than usual. (He was up late doing rallies.) He repeats his usual false claim about how 2.2 million pandemic deaths were initially expected, then touts his pandemic response in a familiar manner." Another tweet read: "A very tired-sounding Trump discussing Barron on Fox & Friends: 'He had it for about two seconds. Ya know it just went through him, and it's gone. The immune system on children, you gotta get the children back to work.'"

Many defended him. "What would you expect after his campaigning the last week? He’s like most candidates that give it 100%. Exhausted. I don’t like him but I have to admire his tenacity in the last few weeks. Not many of us would give it that much," one Twitter user posted. Another concerned user wrote, "Listened to most of Trump’s Fox & Friends call this morning. He sounded defeated, tired, hoarse & resigned to losing. He specifically said "why play games" about the final result. Trump was focused on crowd size & "this season" of Trump's show failing because of Fox News." A third one chimed in, "Our President sounded a bit defeated to me this morning on Fox & Friends... hope I’m wrong and he was just tired."

Nonetheless, the trolls continued to mock him as usual. "Tired & pathetic," one posted. Writer-director Miles Kahn said, "I'm not saying anyone wouldn't be tired after that rallypalooza, but holy, shit Donnie sounds like a zombie on his Fox & Friends morning therapy session." Another Twitter user wrote, "@realDonaldTrump sounds tired and defeated. Let’s send him packing so he can get a nap."

Trump announced on Friday, October 2, 2020, that he and his wife Melania Trump had been tested positive for coronavirus. "Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!" he wrote. Since then, he has recovered and made several public appearances, including many rallies and the final debate with Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.