The 'Zapper' Conspiracy: White House Staffer Dismisses Claims She Was Using a Hidden Device to Wake Trump

A former White House staffer has debunked a far-fetched conspiracy theory that she was using a hidden device to "zap" President Donald Trump awake during a recent public event. The 80-year-old president appeared drowsy while attending an executive order ceremony in the Oval Office on Monday, Aug. 10, sparking renewed rumors that he might have fallen asleep. The latest incident led to speculation about former White House staffer Jayme Leagh Franklin, who was standing behind him.

Trump appeared to close his eyes and tilt his head while Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, director of the National Institutes of Health, spoke at the ceremony. Franklin, who now oversees the MAGA lifestyle publication The Conservateur, was situated behind the GOP president. She was spotted on camera repeatedly touching her stomach as he closed his eyes, leading some to think that she was using a hidden system to wake him up.

The Conspiracy That Went Viral

"Claims she has a button fitted on her belly, and when she gets the nod that he's asleep she moves her hand and presses a button that wakes him," a conspiracy theory that went viral on X read. "They're calling her The Zapper. No idea if it's true but it appears to line up."

The rumor spread quickly across social media, with users speculating about the nature of the alleged device and its purpose. Some suggested it was a wireless transmitter, while others theorized it was a subtle vibration mechanism designed to discreetly rouse the president without drawing attention.

Franklin replied to the claim, writing, "I'm just pregnant, you weirdos" in a Tuesday, Aug. 11, post on X. She added two laughing emojis to her response.

Her straightforward response effectively ended the speculation, reminding the public that sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one. The gesture that had been misinterpreted as pressing a button was simply a pregnant woman adjusting her hand to her belly.

A History of Sleep Speculation

This is not the first time Trump has faced questions about his alertness during public events. In July, the White House slammed claims that the president fell asleep during the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's funeral at the National Cathedral. Trump, who delivered a eulogy for the South Carolina Republican, was spotted by TV cameras and photographers appearing to briefly close his eyes.

In a statement to PEOPLE, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said the president "was reflecting on the loss of his dear friend Lindsey Graham, for whom he had just delivered a beautiful eulogy." "Anyone suggesting otherwise is a depraved moron," Ingle added.

In the past, the president himself has given an explanation for when he appears drowsy in photos. "Sometimes they'll take a picture of me blinking," he insisted during a January interview with The Wall Street Journal. "They'll catch me with the blink."

A Simple Explanation

The incident highlights the power of social media to create and amplify narratives, often without any basis in fact. The video of Trump at the ceremony, viewed by millions, quickly became a source of speculation and humor, with users sharing their own interpretations of Franklin's gestures.

But Franklin's response cut through the noise with a simple, human explanation. Her pregnancy, which has been a source of joy for her and her family, became the unexpected centerpiece of a viral moment, reminding the public that even in the White House, the most mundane of human experiences can be misconstrued.

The "zapper" conspiracy was a classic example of how social media can turn a mundane moment into a full-blown controversy. But Franklin's response served as a reminder that sometimes, a hand on the belly is just a hand on the belly and that the most outlandish theories often have the most straightforward explanations.

As for the president, his alertness remains a topic of public interest, but Franklin's viral moment is likely to be remembered as a brief, quirky interlude in the often serious business of politics.