Rambling Donald Trump's speeches tells expert one thing about his health – it's not good

US President Donald Trump (Image: Getty)

Donald Trump's increasingly disjointed public appearances are fuelling fresh questions about his mental acuity – with one of America’s leading rhetoric experts warning they could be a sign of cognitive decline. Dr Jennifer Mercieca, Professor of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University and author of Demagogue for President: The Rhetorical Genius of Donald Trump, told the Daily Beast that the former president's erratic speech patterns were far from harmless.

She said: “His lack of focus makes it seem as though he’s experiencing cognitive decline, that his brain is not well-disciplined, and he’s unable to maintain a thought and carry it through to a logical conclusion.” She added: “Trump sees himself as someone who is unscripted and not teleprompter. He likes to brand himself as a ‘truthteller’ who can and will say anything that comes to mind. Unfortunately, that makes his speeches difficult to follow as he digresses from thought to thought - seemingly connecting ideas at random.”

Donald Trump in the Oval Office (Image: Getty)

He said: “I do the weave. You know what the weave is? I’ll talk about, like, nine different things that they all come back brilliantly together. And it’s like friends of mine that are like English professors, they say: ‘It’s the most brilliant thing I’ve ever seen.’”

He added: “The fake news, you know what they say, ‘He rambled.’ It’s not rambling… you get off a subject to mention another little titbit, then you get back on to the subject… you do it for two hours, and you don’t even mispronounce one word.”

Dr Mercieca said the explanation was nothing more than a convenient branding exercise.

She said: “In order to counter the perception that these digressions are actually a strategy, Trump has branded his speaking style ‘the weave’ and claims that experts in rhetoric believe it’s a good way to communicate. It’s not a good or effective way to communicate. It shows a lack of discipline and control.”

Mr Trump’s official physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, offered a sharply different view earlier this year, following the former president’s physical in April.

In one speech, Mr Trump appeared to compare himself to gangster Al Capone (Image: Getty)

He said: “President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”

He added: “President Trump’s schedule includes multiple meetings, public appearances, press availability, and frequent victories in golf events.”

However, some of Mr Trump’s more recent speeches have only intensified speculation.

At a military commencement speech, he began by thanking the audience and praising recruitment efforts - then suddenly veered off-script to attack drag shows, transgender athletes, and critical race theory.

He said: “I went through more investigations than Alphonse Capone, and now I’m talking to you as president, can you believe this?”

He also advised the graduates against marrying for looks alone.

He said: “Don’t marry trophy wives, just don’t do it. Not worth the trouble.”

Earlier this year, during a campaign rally, he brought up a fictional serial killer to hammer home his point on immigration.

He said: “Remember Hannibal Lecter? The late, great Hannibal Lecter. A wonderful man… and that’s who the migrants are. That’s who’s coming in.”

A recent YouGov/Economist poll showed that 45% of Americans believe Mr Trump has not been transparent about his health. Just 31% said they believed he was physically and mentally fit for a second term.

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Asked to respond to Dr Mercieca’s claims, a White House spokesperson accused her of bias.

He said: “Dr Mercieca is suffering from Trump derangement syndrome.

"President Trump is the most accessible and transparent president in history - constantly showing off his impeccable mental and physical health.”

However, sceptics including Dr Mercieca argue the president’s speeches may be doing the talking for him - whether he realises it or not.