Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s recent public appearances have been marked by obvious confusion, rambling speeches, and bizarre claims that go beyond simple gaffes and falsehoods. In a particularly disturbing incident during the town hall event, Trump vividly described the audience’s reaction to the debate against Vice President Kamala Harris. There was no audience when Trump debated Harris.
As a doctor, certainly one who has never examined Trump or observed him directly, I find myself increasingly concerned about his cognitive abilities. Age-related decline is a reality that millions of Americans must face, but his recent appearance and the questionable reliability of his doctor’s report should concern us all.
Trump vividly described the audience’s reaction to his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris. There was no audience when Trump debated Harris.
In a previous article focused on President Joe Biden after his poor debate performance against Trump, I discussed how to address the leader’s cognitive decline without playing into ageist stereotypes. We discussed the issue of That remains a challenge, but in part because Trump has not released a detailed medical report, as presidential candidates typically do, we have to wonder about his mental state and decision-making ability.
Red flags include not only President Trump’s language (as well as his signature lies and misinformation), but also clinically concerning changes. Over the past decade, President Trump has shortened his sentences, digressed, repeated himself more and used increasingly confusing words and phrases, according to an analysis by several experts. These experts suggest that these changes may indicate the early stages of cognitive decline and possible dementia, given his age and immediate family history. We know that we are susceptible to this risk. Trump’s father, Fred Trump, was diagnosed with dementia. This does not mean his son will develop the same symptoms, but his risk is increased and highlights the importance of a thorough cognitive evaluation, the results of which should be made public to voters.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently released her comprehensive medical records. Her doctor, Dr. Joshua Simmons, provided a detailed overview of her health, including specific information about her medical history, current medications, and health precautions. This level of transparency should be the standard for all candidates seeking the presidency.
As far as we know, President Trump’s last thorough physical examination was performed by then-White House physician Dr. Ronnie Jackson in 2018. This was the first medical examination he made public during his presidency. The exam is still filled with inappropriate hyperbole that says the president is “very smart” and “fully qualified to serve” not only for the remainder of his term but for another four years if reelected. Ta. -Elected.
Since then, I am not aware that he has ever undergone the kind of thorough testing that President Joe Biden and Mr. Harris have undergone. (They did release the test results.) In contrast, Dr. Just missing details.
In other medical settings, their reports would be rejected as inadequate documentation. “His physical examination was within normal limits, but his cognitive testing was exceptional,” Dr. Aaronwald said, without providing further details. In contrast, the Vice President’s medical exam includes a series of details regarding vitals, laboratory values, and other details common to a thorough medical exam. Dr. Jackson’s history of questionable medical evaluations casts a shadow on the validity of President Trump’s health report.
Cognitive decline and mental disorders affect not only individuals but also entire families. If President Trump is in decline, as his struggles in public life suggest, it may be because his family has experienced the “downward spiral of silence” often seen in spouses and caregivers. It probably means that To be clear, the former first family is unlike any other and has access to more resources and a higher level of support. But the silence on intervention, especially recently, has been deafening.
Dr. Jackson’s history of questionable medical evaluations casts a shadow on the validity of President Trump’s health report.
It is important to emphasize that these concerns are not partisan in nature. According to a June 2024 News/YouGov poll, approximately 25% of American voters express doubts whether either Biden or Trump is mentally and cognitively fit to be president. Mr. Biden has withdrawn from the race, but Mr. Trump has not even acknowledged calls for further evaluation. Instead, Harris is said to be the one who will need to undergo a cognitive function test. Harris, who turned 60 on Sunday, shows no signs of cognitive impairment.
As we approach the next election, it is imperative that we prioritize transparency and accountability in all aspects of candidate evaluation, including medical examinations. The American people deserve a leader who is not only ideologically aligned with their values, but also able to handle the rigors of the presidency both physically and mentally.
We must be careful not to perpetuate ageist stereotypes, but ignore that President Trump, who will be the oldest president in American history, is showing such alarming signs. I can’t. The presidency is more than just a job. Requires mental sharpness, sound judgment, and the ability to process complex information quickly. President Trump’s actions and the lack of reliable information about his health, including his cognitive function, are deeply concerning.
In the interest of democracy and national security, we require that all presidential candidates undergo transparent, comprehensive, and independent cognitive evaluations conducted by respected medical professionals with no political affiliation. You need to work on it. Only then can we make truly informed decisions about who is best to lead our country.
