Anjana Sahney Thakker
There has been much speculation about former President Donald Trump's health, with many believing that he is unfit for office due to his hateful character and cognitive decline. Trump's mental health has been a topic of discussion since his 2016 presidential campaign, with some mental health professionals speculating that he may have mental health impairments, such as narcissistic personality disorder or dementia. In recent weeks, Trump has cancelled several public appearances, with his campaign citing the candidate's exhaustion. When he does appear, he often struggles to complete sentences or sustain coherent thoughts, and he has shown a difficulty concentrating and a tendency to repeat himself. These signs of cognitive decline, paired with his extremist views and authoritarian tendencies, have transformed what was once seen as an uncomfortable leadership style into an existential threat to American democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age | 78 years |
| Health Concerns | Bruises on hands, cognitive decline, history of heart disease, overweight, history of COVID-19 infection |
| Mental Health Concerns | Narcissistic personality disorder, paranoia, sociopathy, sadism, dementia, PTSD |
| Behavior | Incoherent, unfocused, prone to anger, praise for dictators, tyrannical rhetoric, obsession with childless women, spreading conspiracy theories |
What You'll Learn
Trump's cognitive decline
There has been much speculation about Donald Trump's health, particularly his mental health, since his 2016 presidential campaign. In 2024, Trump became the oldest president-elect in US history at 78 years old.
Trump's mental health has been a subject of public debate since the early days of his first presidential campaign in 2016. Numerous public figures, media sources, and mental health professionals have speculated that he may have mental health impairments, ranging from narcissistic personality disorder to some form of dementia, which runs in his family.
Trump's cognitive health has been a particular focus of concern. In 2017, psychologist John Gartner collected over 41,000 signatures of mental health professionals on a petition stating that Trump "manifests a serious mental illness that renders him psychologically incapable of competently discharging the duties of President of the United States." Gartner asserted that Trump's mental handicaps are a mix of narcissism, paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism. Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump, a clinical psychologist, also wrote a book in 2020 identifying the disorders she believed him to have.
In addition to the concerns raised by mental health professionals, a number of incidents during Trump's presidency and 2024 campaign have contributed to the trend in public opinion questioning his cognitive abilities. These include various gaffes, such as confusing Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orbán, for the leader of Turkey, and referring to airports during the American Revolutionary War. There have also been reports of Trump acquiring a pronounced lisp, non sequiturs, and a lack of structure in his speeches.
However, some experts disagree with these assessments. Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, attributed Trump's stamina to his genetics, physical activity, and outlook. He noted that Trump's avoidance of alcohol and tobacco, regular outdoor exercise from playing golf, and high level of social interaction likely contribute to his health and stamina. Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor of medicine, also stated that Trump has a high level of cognitive health, noting that he has interviewed Trump twice and found him to be very engaged and cognitively advanced.
The debate around Trump's cognitive decline remains ongoing, with some pointing to his advanced age and demanding schedule as potential factors. Official reports from November 30, 2024, indicate that Trump is in "excellent" health, with his personal physician, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, characterizing his cognitive functions as "exceptional."
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Trump's narcissism
Donald Trump's narcissism has been a topic of interest for many, with some even speculating about his mental health. In 2017, a petition circulated by psychologist John Gartner gathered over 41,000 signatures of mental health professionals, stating that Trump's mental handicaps are a mix of narcissism, paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism. Trump's narcissistic tendencies have been observed by many, and some argue that they pose a danger to his leadership and the country.
Narcissism is characterised by an overwhelming self-referential core, with a constant struggle for self-confirmation and a grandiose sense of self-importance. Trump's behaviour aligns with these traits, as he often displays an excessive need for attention, admiration, and a lack of empathy. He also exhibits temper tantrums, which are symptomatic of a narcissistic personality.
In conclusion, Trump's narcissism is a prominent aspect of his personality that has had far-reaching consequences. It has influenced his behaviour, decision-making, and relationships, ultimately impacting his presidency and the country as a whole. While speculative diagnoses of mental health conditions can be controversial, Trump's narcissistic traits are undeniable and have played a significant role in shaping his public image and leadership style.
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Trump's mental health professionals
Since Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, his physical and mental health have been a subject of public debate. Numerous public figures, media sources, and mental health professionals have speculated that Trump may have mental health impairments, ranging from narcissistic personality disorder to some form of dementia, which runs in his family.
The Duty to Warn Movement
The "Duty to Warn" movement was founded by medical professionals concerned about Trump's cognitive health in his first year in office. In 2017, psychologist John Gartner collected more than 41,000 signatures of mental health professionals on a petition directed to the national opposition leader, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer. The petition stated:
> "My professional judgement is that Donald Trump manifests a serious mental illness that renders him psychologically incapable of competently discharging the duties of President of the United States. And I respectfully request him [sic] be removed from office, according to article 3 of the 25th Amendment, and so on."
Gartner asserted that Trump's mental handicaps are a mix of narcissism, paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism.
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
As early as November 2015, Vanity Fair reported the opinion of several mental health experts that Trump had "textbook narcissistic personality disorder". In 2017, Bandy X. Lee, a forensic psychiatrist, hosted a meeting at Yale University's medical school regarding the ethics of discussing Trump's mental health. Lee later published a book containing essays from 27 psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health professionals on the "clear and present danger" that Trump's mental health poses to the nation and individual well-being. They argued that the president's issues affected the mental health of the United States population and that he placed the country at grave risk of war because of his pathological traits.
Dementia
Trump's family history of dementia has also been a cause for concern. Medical experts have advised that Trump likely has an elevated genetic risk of dementia, and his nephew, Fred Trump III, has stated that he sees signs of the disease in Trump, similar to those exhibited by his father, Fred Trump Sr., who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 1991.
Assessments by Trump's Physicians
In contrast to these concerns, Trump's personal physicians have consistently maintained that he is in excellent health, both physically and cognitively. In 2024, Dr. Bruce Aronwald stated that Trump's routine physical and cognitive examinations produced results well within normal limits, characterizing his cognitive functions as "exceptional." This assessment was echoed by Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity expert, who, in November 2024, praised Trump's stamina and energy, attributing it to his genetics, physical activity, and outlook.
While the official narrative remains that Trump is in good health, ongoing speculations and mixed signals from his public appearances continue to fuel concerns about his fitness for office as he embarks on another term as president.
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Trump's authoritarianism
While it is difficult to diagnose a public figure such as Donald Trump with a particular disorder, there is no shortage of speculation by the public and experts alike about his mental health. Many have pointed to his narcissism, paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism, with some experts diagnosing him with narcissistic personality disorder.
Trump's authoritarian tendencies can be seen in his attempts to hollow out democratic institutions and replace them with loyalists who will follow his orders without hesitation. He has also sought to normalise and supercharge authoritarianism internationally, making it the rule rather than the exception.
While Trump's first term was marked by incompetence and chaos due to his lack of understanding of how government works and his inability to find qualified people to run agencies, his second term is likely to be more dangerous as he has captured the Republican Party and used it to reshape the government to his advantage.
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Trump's physical health
At 78 years old, Donald Trump is the oldest president-elect in US history. Since the early days of his 2016 campaign, his physical and mental health have been a subject of public debate.
Trump's body mass index (BMI) has been a cause for concern. In 2018, his BMI was 29.5, registering as overweight on the higher end of the scale. By 2019, he was considered clinically obese, with a BMI of 30.4. Trump's weight, lifestyle, and cholesterol level have raised serious concerns about his cardiac health. He has a form of heart disease called coronary artery disease, which is common for white males of his age.
Trump's health has also been a topic of interest for medical professionals. In 2017, psychologist John Gartner collected over 41,000 signatures of mental health professionals on a petition stating that Trump's mental health rendered him unfit to discharge the duties of the president. Trump's niece, Mary L. Trump, a clinical psychologist, also wrote a book in 2020 identifying the disorders she believed he had. Additionally, in 2024, Dr. Jay Olshansky gave Trump less than a 75% chance of living through a second term based on publicly available information about his health.
Trump has been criticised for his secrecy and lack of transparency around his medical records. As of October 2024, he had not released basic health information since 2015, despite promises to do so. This lack of transparency has fuelled speculation and concerns about his physical and mental fitness to serve as president.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several signs that indicate Donald Trump's declining mental health, including his inability to complete sentences or sustain coherent thoughts, his difficulty concentrating, and his tendency to repeat himself. He has also displayed a lack of discipline, poor impulse control, and short attention span. Additionally, he has made several gaffes, such as confusing people's names and referring to non-existent events.
Mental health professionals have speculated that Trump may have mental health impairments, including narcissistic personality disorder, paranoia, sociopathy, and sadism. Some experts also believe that he may be experiencing cognitive decline, with shorter sentences, more tangents, more repetition, and confusion of words and phrases in his speeches. There is also concern about his potential development of Alzheimer's disease.
Trump's mental health issues have had a significant impact on his presidency. His temper tantrums, short attention span, and poor impulse control have led to poor decision-making and pathological staff strategies. His authoritarian instincts and tyrannical rhetoric have also raised concerns about the stability of American democracy.
