Key Takeaways
- The Independent emphasizes its on‑the‑ground reporting on major U.S. issues—reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech—while offering free access to its journalism.
- The article highlights a pattern of late‑night Truth Social activity by President Donald Trump, suggesting he slept fewer than five hours on the night of Thursday‑into‑Friday.
- Between 12:05 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. Trump posted repeatedly, then resumed at 7:33 a.m.; similar bursts occur on weekends, holidays, or late at night.
- White House officials say the posts are either made by Trump himself (because he sleeps little) or by staff catching up on material he viewed earlier.
- Trump and his allies frequently boast about his ability to function on minimal sleep, citing examples such as a 20‑hour trip where he supposedly stayed awake the entire time.
- Despite these claims, observers have noted Trump nodding off during Cabinet meetings, press conferences, and an Oval Office announcement, which he attributes to boredom rather than sleep deprivation.
- The specific Friday‑morning Truth Social spree included sharing a New York Post article attacking Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, promoting conspiracy‑laden videos, re‑posting Elon Musk’s X content, and falsely attributing a Clint Eastwood quote to himself.
- The Independent appeals for donations to sustain its reporter‑driven, paywall‑free coverage, arguing that quality journalism should be funded by those who can afford it and remain accessible to all Americans.
The Independent positions itself as a vital source of deep, unbiased reporting on the nation’s most pressing stories, from reproductive rights and climate change to the influence of Big Tech. Unlike many outlets that hide their content behind paywalls, The Independent chooses to keep its journalism free for readers, relying on contributions from those who can afford to support it. This model, they argue, ensures that factual information reaches a broad audience across the political spectrum, especially at a time when misinformation and partisan messaging are rampant.
A recent piece published by The Independent scrutinizes President Donald Trump’s social‑media habits, particularly his activity on Truth Social. The report notes that between 12:05 a.m. and 2:45 a.m. on Friday, Trump engaged in a sustained posting spree, only to resume at 7:33 a.m. The timing suggests he obtained less than five hours of sleep that night, a claim echoed by the president’s own frequent assertions that he “doesn’t sleep much.” White House staff have described two possible sources for these midnight posts: either Trump himself, awake because of his limited rest, or aides who are catching up on articles and videos he reviewed earlier in the day.
Trump’s allies have long celebrated his purported stamina. Vice President JD Vance told Fox News in November 2024 that during a 20‑hour trip the president remained awake the entire time, and former Attorney General Pam Bondi remarked that nobody could “keep up” with Trump because he sleeps so little. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle went further, calling Trump “the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history” and insisting his commitment is unwavering.
Nevertheless, there are observable contradictions to the narrative of relentless vigor. Journalists and attendees have reported seeing Trump’s eyes close for several seconds during Cabinet meetings, press conferences, and, most recently, an Oval Office announcement on Thursday afternoon. When confronted, Trump has dismissed these moments as mere boredom, insisting he simply “closed” his eyes rather than slept.
The Friday‑morning Truth Social episode exemplifies the type of content that fuels his online presence. It began with a link to a New York Post article urging Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to resign. Trump then shared a series of posts that included:
- A video praising the new leadership of the Border Patrol union.
- A clip of MAGA‑aligned Senator Mike Lee criticizing Democrats, accompanied by commentary from Lee and Elon Musk.
- A compilation video advancing the debunked conspiracy that Hillary Clinton fabricated the Russia‑election‑interference investigation.
- Re‑posts of negative X (formerly Twitter) comments targeting Clinton and former President Barack Obama.
- A screenshot falsely attributing a complimentary quote about himself to actor Clint Eastwood—a claim PolitiFact traced to former New Hampshire state Representative Fred Doucette.
- A Breitbart video posted around 2:45 a.m., after which his activity paused until 7:30 a.m.
Throughout the spree, Trump repeatedly attacked the Southern Poverty Law Center, labeling it “one of the greatest political scams in American History” and a “Democrat Hoax,” and tied it to baseless allegations about the 2020 presidential election, even suggesting the election should be “wiped from the books.”
The Independent’s coverage of this episode is part of its broader mission to deliver nuanced, fact‑checked reporting without financial barriers. By inviting readers to contribute, the outlet aims to sustain journalist‑driven investigations that hold power accountable, clarify the distinction between legitimate news and partisan messaging, and preserve an informed public discourse. The call for support underscores the belief that quality journalism is a public good, best funded by those who are able to pay while remaining free for all to access.