Is Donald Trump’s Health Declining? Concerns Mount as Cognitive Abilities Face Scrutiny
Questions surrounding the health of U.S. President Donald Trump are intensifying, with a renowned psychiatrist and former Johns Hopkins University professor raising concerns about potential neurological issues. Whereas Trump maintains he is in excellent health, a growing gap exists between medical assessments, public appearances, and official White House statements, fueling global debate.
Psychiatrist Raises Alarm Over Potential Dementia
Dr. John Gartner, an American psychologist and psychiatrist, has analyzed Trump’s public appearances over the years and believes he’s observed clear signals indicative of possible dementia. According to Gartner, diagnosing dementia involves identifying a decline compared to an individual’s baseline in four key areas: language, memory, behavior, and psychomotor performance.
Gartner notes a stark contrast between Trump’s articulate speech in the 1980s – characterized by well-formulated paragraphs – and his current struggles to complete sentences, thoughts, or even single words. This deterioration is a significant departure from his earlier performances.
Motor Skills and Coordination Under Observation
Beyond language, Gartner is also concerned about changes in Trump’s motor skills. During an appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he was observed to be unsteady and swaying. The doctor describes a wide-based gait, where Trump leads with his right leg in a semi-circular motion, causing him to drift to the left. Gartner links this gait to a possible frontotemporal dementia.
He suggests this condition appears to have worsened recently and even speculates about a possible stroke affecting the left side of the body, though this remains unconfirmed.
A Moment of Confusion: Forgetting the Word “Alzheimer”
Further discussion was sparked by an interview with Recent York Magazine, where Trump discussed his father Fred Trump’s illness. Fred Trump passed away in 1999 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. During the conversation, Trump struggled to recall the name of the disease, pausing and tapping his forehead before being prompted by his spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt. He then stated, “I don’t have that.”
White House Doctors Affirm President’s Health
In the same interview, Trump presented two physicians from Walter Reed Military Hospital who monitor his health. When asked directly if his health was “perfect,” Colonel James Jones, a physician assistant with a doctorate in health sciences, responded, “Your health is excellent, Sir.”
According to reports, Trump underwent a CT scan of his chest and abdomen, which showed no issues. Recurring bruising on his hands was attributed to frequent handshaking and aspirin use.
Johns Hopkins Faces Funding Cuts and Layoffs
These health concerns emerge alongside significant challenges facing Johns Hopkins University, a key institution in medical research. The university is being forced to lay off over 2,000 employees globally due to cuts in funding from USAID, a consequence of President Trump’s austerity measures. This impacts research in 44 countries, with 247 jobs lost in the United States.
The cuts are part of a broader campaign to defund and discipline U.S. Universities, targeting institutions like Harvard and UCLA with a total of $3.7 billion in reductions. Hopkins students have also been impacted, with some losing jobs, stipends, or internship opportunities.
FAQ
Q: What specific concerns has Dr. Gartner raised about Trump’s health?
A: Dr. Gartner has observed potential signs of dementia, including declines in language, memory, behavior, and motor skills.
Q: What is the White House’s official stance on Trump’s health?
A: Physicians from Walter Reed Military Hospital have stated that Trump is in excellent health.
Q: How are the cuts to USAID affecting Johns Hopkins University?
A: Johns Hopkins is being forced to lay off over 2,000 employees due to the loss of $800 million in USAID funding.
Q: What are the potential implications of these funding cuts for research?
A: The cuts will lead to the termination of important work in Baltimore and internationally, impacting research in various fields.
Did you know? The term “dementia” encompasses a range of conditions, not a single disease. It’s characterized by a decline in cognitive function severe enough to interfere with daily life.
Pro Tip: Staying informed about health issues and political developments requires consulting multiple sources and critically evaluating information.
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