‘The Zapper’: Internet conspiracy theory claims woman behind Trump secretly has a button on her belly to wake ‘Sleepy Don’

A few seconds of footage from the Oval Office have turned a woman standing behind President Donald Trump into the unlikely star of one of social media’s strangest new conspiracy theories. Trump was seated at the Resolute Desk on August 10 while National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya spoke during an event focused on childhood vaccines and autism research.

As Bhattacharya continued speaking, Trump appeared to close his eyes and tilt his head, prompting another round of online jokes about the president seemingly falling asleep during an official event. With this clip going viral, social media users had a new theory.

Standing directly behind Trump was a woman with one hand resting across her stomach. In the viral footage, she appeared to move or press her hand against her midsection. Moments later, Trump opened his eyes and shifted upright.


That brief sequence was enough to send social media into overdrive, with users conjuring up a bizarre theory that the woman was secretly operating a device designed to jolt Trump awake whenever he appeared to nod off.

The internet quickly dubbed her “The Zapper.” One user quipped: “She’s called ‘The Zapper.’ Presses zapper on her stomach and it zaps Sleepy Don awake.”

Another jokingly referred to her as “Trump’s Secret Wake-up Assistant,” while a third asked: “Is this the new Melania?”

Also Read: ‘Sleepy Don!’ Watch: Trump appears to doze off during White Hosue meeting; social media turns his famous ‘sleepy Joe’ nickname against him

The theory has spread alongside the footage, which attracted millions of views on X. But there is no evidence whatsoever that the woman was carrying a buzzer, transmitter or any kind of device capable of jolting Trump awake.

The supposed mechanics of the theory appear to be entirely the product of social-media speculation. The woman's hand movement could have been completely ordinary, while Trump's subsequent change in posture may simply have been coincidental.

Still, the joke gained traction partly because of Trump's long-running attacks on former President Joe Biden's age and apparent tendency to nod off.

Trump repeatedly used the nickname “Sleepy Joe” while campaigning against Biden, turning Biden's perceived tiredness into a recurring political attack line.

Now, with Trump himself repeatedly facing online scrutiny over moments in which he appears to close his eyes during meetings and public events, social media users have gleefully turned the old nickname back on him “Sleepy Don.”

Who is Jayme Franklin, the woman behind Trump?

The woman at the center of the viral theory is Jayme Franklin, a conservative media figure and former Trump staffer. Franklin is the CEO of The Conservateur, a conservative media and lifestyle brand. She founded the publication in 2020.

Before launching The Conservateur, Franklin worked in Republican politics and conservative media. She also previously worked as an associate editor as well as an administrative and production assistant at Fox News, where she has appeared as a guest commentator.