A crane operator appeared to be sneaking in a quick nap behind US President Donald Trump during an event at the White House on Wednesday.

The moment was captured on video during the ceremonial installation of two 30m-tall flags on the White House lawn.

One by one, a beaming Trump posed for photos with the workers tasked with erecting the “most magnificent poles made”, as he described them on his Truth Social platform.

But while he shook hands with the workers wearing bright yellow t-shirts, the president appeared to be unaware that the crane operator – wearing sunglasses, a cap and sleeping just a few metres behind in the crane’s cabin – was perhaps dozing off.

Social media users were quick to make light of the faux pas, with one user on X noting the unidentified man had missed out on a handshake with “the most important man in the world”.

Another user joked the employee was “emulating” Trump’s behaviour at “any event where he is seated”, while another asked: “Did the guy in the crane pretend to be asleep to avoid the Trump selfie?”

The new flag poles were erected on the North and South lawns of the White House. This is the first in a series of intended renovations to the White House lawn, with plans to pave over the grass of the famous Rose Garden apparently in the works.

Trump has also added his personal touches to the interior of the presidential home, hanging his own mugshot in the building and adding Mar-a-Lago-style gold accents in a large renovation of the Oval Office’s decor.

Trump described the flags as “the largest you’ll ever see”.