If by “finally wake up” you mean “saw the mob with the pitchforks and torches coming at him and took off running” then yes, he woke up. But he is incapable of doing anything about it that will do any good. He is trying like hell to change the subject.
The sneaky bastard (and he is one) is intent on doing the opposite of what he says.
“He is trying like hell to change the subject.”
I agree, we hear one thing then he turns around and does another. We won’t be fooled anymore.