Guest faints during Trump’s White House event on obesity drug costs

Guest faints during Trump’s White House event on obesity drug costs

A White House event led by U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday was briefly interrupted after a guest fainted in the Oval Office during an announcement on efforts to reduce the cost of obesity drugs.

The individual, identified by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt as a representative of one of the participating health care companies, collapsed while Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking. Witnesses said the guest, who was standing among administration officials and pharmaceutical executives behind the President’s desk, suddenly lost consciousness and was helped to the ground by those nearby.

“You OK?” Ricks was heard asking as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and others rushed to assist. President Trump rose from behind the Resolute Desk to observe the situation while reporters were briefly ushered out of the room.

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Leavitt later confirmed that the guest received prompt medical attention and was “doing fine.” When reporters were allowed back into the Oval Office, Trump reassured them that the individual had only felt light-headed.

“You saw he went down, and he’s fine,” the President said. “They just sent him out. He’s got doctors’ care, but he’s fine.”

The brief health scare caused a temporary pause in the event, which had been underway for about 30 minutes.

Thursday’s incident marks the second time this year that someone has fainted at the White House. In April, a young girl reportedly fainted during Mehmet Oz’s swearing-in ceremony but recovered quickly, according to officials.

Guest faints during Trump’s White House event on obesity drug costs