US President Donald Trump has revealed that he avoids sleeping during long flights, saying he prefers to stay alert and watch for potential threats.
Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, Trump recounted his habit of remaining awake even on extended Air Force One journeys.
“I don’t sleep on planes. I don’t like sleeping on planes,” he told the audience.
“You know, I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies, actually,” Trump added, prompting laughter from the crowd.
TRUMP: "Sleep on the plane?! I don't sleep on planes. I don't like sleeping on planes. I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies actually." pic.twitter.com/SffwBTzE04— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) February 5, 2026
He shared the anecdote while recalling a trip to Iraq during his first term, when he visited to review the US military campaign against the Islamic State group.
During that visit, Trump said a senior military officer offered him the chance to rest after the 20-hour journey.
“He said, ‘Sir, if you’d like, you can go and sleep. It’s a 20-hour trip. We have quarters prepared for you,’” Trump recalled.
“I said, no, no, I don’t have to sleep. I don’t sleep on planes. I like looking out the window watching for missiles and enemies.”
Trump used the story to introduce retired US Army General Daniel “Raisin” Caine, a former special operations commander credited with helping defeat ISIS.
“I came out of the plane and there was a handsome general standing there,” Trump said. “I said, what’s your name? He said, Raisin. I said, what the hell kind of a name is that?”
Although Caine offered to brief him after resting, Trump insisted on starting immediately.
“I said, no, no, let’s go right now,” he told the audience.
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