A White House event led by the United States President Donald Trump in the Oval Office was temporarily interrupted on Thursday, November 6, 2025, when a male guest fainted during a press conference to reduce the cost of obesity drugs.
The individual, identified as a representative of one of the participating healthcare companies, quickly received medical attention and was later confirmed by the White House to be doing fine.
The incident occurred approximately 30 minutes into the event, which featured the President alongside pharmaceutical executives from companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The event was focused on announcing a deal to expand coverage and lower prices for weight-loss medications like Zepbound and Wegovy.
The guest, who was identified as Gordon Findlay, a Novo Nordisk representative, was standing with other officials and executives behind the Resolute Desk when he suddenly collapsed as Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking.
Ricks was audibly heard asking, “You OK?” as the individual began to falter.
Several high-profile attendees, including Dr. Mehmet Oz, the physician who serves as the Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), rushed to assist the man, helping to lower him safely to the ground. President Trump rose from his desk to observe the situation as reporters were immediately ushered out of the room by White House staff.
Following the immediate intervention by attendees and the White House Medical Unit, the guest was taken out of the Oval Office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement confirming the incident and the status of the guest.
When the press pool was allowed back into the room, the event resumed, and President Trump personally provided an update on the situation.
The President confirmed the guest’s recovery;
You saw he went down. And he’s fine. They just sent him out. He’s got doctors’ care. But he’s fine…got a little bit lightheaded
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks later elaborated, stating that the prolonged standing time and warmth of the Oval Office likely contributed to the guest feeling faint.
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