Attendee collapses during White House event on weight-loss drug prices

A tense moment unfolded at the White House on Thursday when a guest collapsed during an Oval Office event focused on reducing the cost of weight-loss drugs. The incident briefly halted proceedings as President Donald Trump, Dr Mehmet Oz, and others rushed to assist.

The man, identified later as a representative from a health care company, appeared to lose consciousness just as Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking. In a video that quickly went viral, Ricks could be heard asking, “Are you OK? Gordon, you OK?” moments before officials called for the press to leave the room.

White House medical personnel responded immediately, providing aid as Dr Oz, who now oversees the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services, checked on the attendee. President Trump also left his seat to ensure the situation was under control.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that the man had suffered a fainting spell and was “doing fine” after receiving care from the on-site medical team. “The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay,” she said.

Event resumes after brief delay

Following the brief interruption, the event resumed, with Trump assuring the audience that the attendee had simply felt “a little lightheaded.” He added, “We just sent him out and he’s got doctor’s care, but he’s fine.”

Speculation spread online about the man’s identity, with some claiming he was an executive from Novo Nordisk, the maker of popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. However, the company clarified that only two of its senior executives were present and expressed concern for the individual who fell ill.

It remains unclear what caused the medical episode, though such incidents are not uncommon during formal gatherings at the White House. Interestingly, Dr Oz faced a similar moment earlier this year when his granddaughter fainted during another press event shortly after he was sworn into his new role.