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The US president describes his health as 'perfect' but critics voice increasing concerns.
06:57, Thu, Jan 29, 2026 Updated: 06:59, Thu, Jan 29, 2026
Speculation about his health continues to plague Donald Trump (Image: Getty)
Fears continue to soar over Donald Trump's health as speculation the US president is "becoming unhinged" mounts. Critics of the 79-year-old leader have claimed memory lapses, faltering language and increased anger are signs of dementia.
His conduct in recent months has also fuelled rumours. At a crunch meeting with fossil fuel industry chiefs at the White House in January Mr Trump's attention strayed towards his ballroom building project. He got up from his seat, wandered over to a window and announced to the room: "Wow! What a view." Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio looked at each other with smiles of resignation.
Mr Trump receives support from rap star Nicki Minaj at an event in Washington DC (Image: Getty)
It emerged on Wednesday that Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico reportedly told EU leaders at a summit last week that he had been shocked by Mr Trump's state of mind.
Mr Fico was apparently concerned by Mr Trump's "psychological state", according to two diplomats cited by Politico. The White House dismissed the claim as "absolutely fake news".
The Republican US leader had dubbed former Democratic president Joe Biden "sleepy Joe" while he was in office. But now it appears Mr Trump dozes off in front of the TV cameras.
His comments that NATO troops "stayed a little back" from the front lines in Afghanistan sparked outrage from allies, veterans and their families.
Mr Trump later changed course, praising "the great and very brave soldiers" of the UK who he said were "among the greatest of all warriors" in comments posted on his Truth Social platform.
Daily Mail columnist Tom Leonard wrote that while some insist the president remains "sharp and engaged" the sense Mr Trump is "becoming unhinged" has not gone away.
He pointed to boasts from Mr Trump that he slashed prescription drug prices by "1,000 percent" and racist insults, including that Somalis are "low IQ people".
Ty Cobb, a former White House lawyer who served during Mr Trump's first term, told the publication: "I think the dementia and the cognitive decline are palpable, as do many experts, including many physicians."
At a White House press conference last week, Mr Trump talked about playing baseball as a child, repeated false conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and said God was very proud of his first year in office.
Former White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, posted in response on social media: "This presser is bizarre even for him. It’s all the usual rambling, off-topic tales, half-truths, lies, 'I’ve fixed everything - no one has ever seen anything like it' stuff... But it’s low-energy and feels like he’s... mentally slipping".
A defiant Mr Trump insisted his "health is perfect" in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. He told the publication he takes "more aspirin" than recommended by his doctors and that is what causes him to bruise easily.
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The US president said he slowed his work rate on the advice of his staff, describing his daily routine as beginning early in an office at the White House residence then arriving at the Oval Office at about 10am where he stays until 7-8pm.
Mr Trump’s doctor, US navy captain Sean Barbabella, told the same publication the president was in exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as commander-in-chief.
English (US) · 