U.S. President Donald Trump’s White House event was briefly interrupted on Thursday when a guest fainted in the Oval Office.
The guest’s fainting occurred during an announcement about initiatives to lower the cost of obesity medications.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the individual who collapsed was a representative of one of the participating health care companies, and the incident occurred while Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking.
Witnesses reported that the guest, standing alongside administration officials and pharmaceutical executives behind the President’s desk, seemed to lose consciousness and was helped to the ground by nearby individuals.
“Are you alright?” Ricks was heard inquiring as Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz and others promptly moved in to provide assistance.
Trump stood up from behind the Resolute Desk to examine the situation as reporters were guided out of the room.
According to Leavitt, the guest received immediate medical assistance and was “doing fine.”
Following the incident, Trump addressed journalists in the Oval Office, explaining that the guest had simply felt faint and was receiving medical attention.
“You saw him collapse. And he is doing well. They simply escorted him out,” Trump said. “He is receiving medical attention. But he is doing well.”
Following a brief health scare, the event was brought to a temporary halt, having been underway for about 30 minutes beforehand.
This represents the second fainting incident to occur at the White House this year.
In April, a young girl reportedly collapsed during Mehmet Oz’s swearing in ceremony, though officials confirmed she recovered quickly.
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