US President Donald Trump faced an awkward yet light-hearted moment during a briefing on Thursday while announcing new initiatives aimed at making in vitro fertilisation (IVF) more accessible and affordable. A video from the event, showing Trump stumbling over the name of the fertility drug Pergoveris, has gone viral across social media platforms.

Viral moment over Pergoveris

In the clip, Trump can be heard saying, “…to expedite review and approval of another IVF fertility drug and currently it’s selling in Europe…” before pausing and struggling with the pronunciation of Pergoveris. Smiling at the slip, he joked, “Why can't you name them nice, simple names? Doesn't matter. If it works, that's all we care about.”

The moment has sparked widespread reactions online. Supporters defended the president, with one X user writing, “He works days around the last President. Hold real press conferences for hours. Answer live questions!! Not even an issue! Give us a break! Love this guy.” Others shared their empathy for struggling with medical terminology: “Don’t listen to anyone giving him crap over this. I am a nurse and we can’t say half these drug names either. You should hear us in the back with the docs sounding this stuff out like some twisted version of Hooked on Phonics.”

Fans also praised Trump’s relatability, with comments such as, “Even when flustered, Trump keeps it real. Why do drugs need names like tongue twisters?” and “‘Pergoverous’ is officially the word of the day ... Names are hard, results are what matter!”

New IVF initiatives

During the Oval Office briefing, Trump outlined two major policy changes to expand IVF access in the United States. “We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they have always dreamed about,” he said.

The administration is encouraging US employers to offer new fertility benefit options, which would include coverage for IVF and other infertility treatments. Trump also announced an agreement with EMD Serono to provide discounted fertility drugs, including Gonal-F, and highlighted the potential FDA approval of Pergoveris for the US market, currently available in Europe.

Background on IVF access

These measures follow a February executive order directing federal agencies to explore ways to reduce IVF costs, which can range from $15,000 to $20,000 per cycle. IVF became a topic of national attention in 2024 after the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled that frozen embryos could be considered children, leading some clinics to halt services due to legal concerns. The Alabama Legislature later enacted protections for IVF providers.

Trump emphasised that his dual approach – expanding insurance coverage and lowering drug costs – would help more American families access reproductive treatments. The Hill noted that previous Department of Health and Human Services layoffs had affected offices handling reproductive medicine, but Trump’s new steps aim to strengthen support for fertility services. 

(With inputs from AP)