You’ve seen the clips. Maybe it’s a 30-second snippet on your feed where he stops talking and just stares, or that weird moment where he spent 40 minutes swaying to music during a rally. People are asking the same question they asked about the guy before him: is Trump losing it? Honestly, it’s the biggest conversation in D.C. right now, and the answer depends entirely on who you ask and which video you’re watching.
We are officially in 2026. Donald Trump is 79, turning 80 this June. He’s the oldest person to ever sit in the Oval Office. When you hit that age, every stumble is a headline. Every misspoken word is a "sign." But looking at the actual data from his recent physicals and public appearances shows a picture that is way more complicated than a simple "yes" or "no."
👉 See also: When Will Donald Trump Be President: The Reality of the 47th Term
The Evidence: Why People Think Trump Is Losing It
Last year, the Guardian and other outlets started picking up on what they called "bizarre" behavior. They pointed to a trip to the UK where he went on a long, unprompted rant about windmills and wrongly claimed his uncle knew the Unabomber. Psychologists like Harry Segal from Cornell have been vocal about this. Segal notes that Trump often "confabulates"—basically taking a real memory and adding things that never happened, but telling it with total confidence.
Then there’s the "weave." That’s what Trump calls his speaking style. He starts with one topic, jumps to three others, and then (usually) circles back. Critics say it’s a sign of tangential thinking. Supporters say it’s just his brand of storytelling.
But it’s not just the talking.
The physical signs are there too.
Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported that people in meetings have to speak up because the President is struggling to hear. There’s also the "eye-closing" incidents. Cameras have caught him with his eyes shut during high-level briefings. Trump’s defense? He says he’s just "resting his eyes" because it’s relaxing. You’ve probably seen the photos of bruising on his hands, too. The White House says that’s just from taking a lot of aspirin and shaking too many hands.
What the Doctors Are Actually Saying
Earlier this month, Trump announced he "aced" his cognitive exam for the third time. 100% correct. He even took to Truth Social to brag that no other President or VP was "willing to take" the test. He’s pushing for a mandatory mental health check for anyone running for office.
His physician, Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, released a memo in December saying the President is in "excellent overall health." They did a bunch of advanced imaging—CT scans of his heart and abdomen—and everything came back normal.
✨ Don't miss: Governor Kemp State of Emergency: What Most People Get Wrong
- The Scan Mystery: Trump initially told the press he had an MRI, then later admitted it was a CT scan. He said he didn't even know which part of his body they were scanning.
- The Diet: It’s still McDonald’s and fast food. No surprise there.
- The Diagnosis: The White House did admit he has chronic venous insufficiency. Basically, the veins in his legs don't pump blood back to his heart well, which causes swelling. He tried compression socks for a bit but hated them.
The Political Fallout of the Health Debate
While the internet argues about whether Trump is losing it, the political reality is hitting the GOP hard. His approval ratings are hovering around 42%. Why? Because while he’s focused on invading Venezuela and talking about "The Great Healthcare Plan," the average person is still paying way too much for eggs and gas.
A recent NBC News poll found that "MAGA identification" within the Republican party dropped by 7% since last April. People are getting tired of the drama. Even some Republicans are starting to worry about the 2026 midterms. Trump recently joked—or was he being "facetious"?—that we shouldn't even have an election this year because he’s done such a good job.
Democrats are eating this up, obviously. Senator Ron Wyden recently released a report accusing the administration of "dismantling" mental health infrastructure while the President deals with his own scrutiny. It’s a mess.
Real-World Policy or Mental Distraction?
Just yesterday, Trump unveiled "The Great Healthcare Plan." It sounds massive. He wants to send money directly to your personal health savings account so you can buy your own insurance. He says it will "slash" drug prices by 500%.
Experts are skeptical. They say there’s "absolutely no detail" in the framework. It feels like a repeat of the "two weeks" promise we heard for years. Is he actually planning this, or is it a distraction from the fact that his base is shrinking?
How to Tell if Someone Is Actually Declining
If you’re worried about a relative or just watching the news, experts like Dr. Ben Michaelis say you have to look for specific patterns.
Linearity is the big one.
Can the person stay on a single topic during a conversation?
When Trump starts talking about electric cars and ends up talking about sharks, is that a "weave" or a "lapse"?
Dr. Jamie Reilly from Temple University argues that it’s "tricky" to call this a disease. Some people just talk that way. They’ve always talked that way. Trump has been a rambling storyteller since the 80s. The difference now is that he has the nuclear codes and is 79 years old.
What Happens Next?
The 2026 midterms are the real test. If the GOP loses the House or Senate, the "Trump is losing it" narrative will shift from a medical question to a political autopsy.
Here is what you can actually do to stay informed:
- Watch the full speeches: Don't just watch the 10-second clips on X or TikTok. They are designed to make him look as bad (or as good) as possible.
- Follow the policy, not the posts: Look at things like the "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act" he just signed. It shows he is still functioning well enough to move bipartisan legislation through.
- Check the sources: When a "medical expert" weighs in, see if they’ve actually examined him. Most haven't. They’re "diagnosing from a distance," which is a huge no-no in the medical world.
The debate isn't going away. As long as Trump is in the spotlight, every "blink" and every "weave" will be analyzed under a microscope. Whether he's a "stable genius" or a man in decline is something voters will have to decide for themselves at the ballot box this November.