The collapse occurred as Eli Lilly’s chief executive, Dave Ricks, was delivering his remarks on a new initiative Credit: noamgalai / Shutterstock.com
An unexpected incident briefly disrupted a White House announcement on Thursday October 6, when a guest standing beside President Donald Trump fainted during a live event inside the Oval Office.
The collapse occurred as Eli Lilly’s chief executive, Dave Ricks, was delivering his remarks on a new initiative aimed at reducing the cost of obesity medication in the United States. Without warning, a man positioned near the Resolute Desk lost consciousness and began to fall.
Dr Mehmet Oz, the current director of the Centres for Medicare & Medicaid Services under the Trump administration, reacted instantly and caught the man before he hit the floor.
Trump pauses Oval Office event after pharmaceutical executive suddenly faints
Several attendees rushed to assist while a White House staff member instructed journalists to exit the room. President Trump stood up from his seat and watched as the situation unfolded.
The response from the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F Kennedy Jr, drew attention as well. He immediately walked out of the room, seemingly without acknowledging the man who had collapsed.
Moments later, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that the individual was “a representative of one of the healthcare companies present” and confirmed he was out of danger.
“The White House Medical Unit responded quickly and the gentleman is fine. The press briefing will resume shortly,” she said in an official statement.
When the event restarted, Trump downplayed the incident
“You saw him go down. But he’s fine. They’ve taken him out and he’s receiving medical care, but he’s okay,” the President assured the audience, adding that attendees had been standing for over 30 minutes before the fainting occurred.
Initially, Getty Images identified the man as Gordon Findlay, an executive from Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of Ozempic. However, the pharmaceutical firm later clarified that Findlay had not attended the event.
The briefing on Thursday included representatives from both Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, which have worked with the government to establish an agreement aimed at making GLP-1 drugs — used for diabetes and weight loss — more affordable.
It is not the first time a similar episode has interrupted an Oval Office ceremony this year. In April, during the swearing-in of Mehmet Oz, a young girl fainted, prompting the temporary evacuation of the press. Authorities later confirmed that she recovered without complications.
