Fox News decided to confront allegations that US president Donald Trump's health is suffering head-on, with anchor Lisa Boothe bringing the show to a halt after the New York Times published a report on the 79-year-old leader. Host Boothe explained: "The New York Times is claiming that he's slowed down and he's showing signs of fatigue."

She quoted: "'Americans see Mr Trump less than they used to, he has fewer public events on his schedule and is travelling domestically much less than he did by this point during his first year in office, in 2017, although he is taking more foreign trips. He also keeps a shorter public schedule than he used to. Most of his public appearances fall between noon and 5pm on average.'"

But Boothe went on: "Well, the man is almost 80, but he's also a machine. I mean, he barely sleeps, he works around the clock and he constantly talks to the press. Meanwhile Biden always slept, worked sometimes and never talked to the press unless they were asking him about ice cream flavours."

She added: "But some people are still living in opposite world when it comes to these two presidents."

A clip was then shown from physician Dr Vin Gupta, who said Trump is suffering from "obvious signs of age-related decline. There's a reason to be worried based on his public performance."

Viewers were also concerned, with one tweeting: "The ball of energy they are talking about is Trump. Trump isn't a machine. He's constantly asleep at meetings and is clueless on what exactly is happening in America and the world."

Someone else said: "I mean even Fox viewers have seen Trump falling asleep in important meetings, in public events and even during press conferences."

"Fox being proud that Trump doesn't sleep, I guess they don't understand what happens to the human brain when it doesn't get enough sleep every day!" another posted.