In a bizarre turn of events that's sure to have conservatives rolling their eyes and liberals scrambling for explanations, President Joe Biden was caught napping on what was supposed to be an exhilarating ride on the newly-unveiled "Commander-in-Chief Coaster" at the White House Fourth of July celebration.
Sources close to the event report that the President, who had insisted on being the first to try out the patriotic thrill ride, was found peacefully snoozing at the coaster's highest point, 200 feet above the South Lawn. The ride, which features loops styled after the presidential seal and corkscrews reminiscent of the Washington Monument, came to a screeching halt when operators realized the commander-in-chief was catching some unscheduled Z's.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was quick to defend the President's impromptu siesta. "The President was simply taking a moment to reflect on the ups and downs of American democracy," she stated in a hastily arranged press conference. "His eyes were closed because he was visualizing a brighter future for all Americans."
The incident has sparked a flurry of memes on social media, with #SleepyCoasterJoe trending within minutes. Conservative pundits are having a field day, while Democrats are insisting that the 80-year-old President was merely "resting his eyes" after a long day of serving the American people.
As staff members worked to carefully extract the President from the ride, onlookers report hearing a confused Biden ask, "Is it my turn for the Tilt-A-Whirl yet?"
This latest episode is sure to reignite debates about the President's fitness for office, with Republican opponents already calling for mandatory caffeine injections before any future amusement park outings.