Shortly after finishing a long 90-minute speech at a rally in Pennsylvania, President Donald Trump left the stage, got into his motorcade, and then opened Truth Social to release a long, emotional message defending his mental and physical health. His post was almost 500 words, and it read like someone who felt cornered, frustrated, and desperate to prove he was still strong.
Trump had spent the rally talking about the high cost of living and promising his supporters he would fix everything. But as soon as he reached his phone, he switched topics completely and started attacking recent news reports suggesting that he has been slowing down, forgetting things, and showing signs of cognitive decline. These reports especially bothered him because they came from major outlets like The New York Times, which has been closely watching changes in his schedule, his energy, and his behavior during his second term.
In his lengthy post, Trump praised himself more than anything else. He claimed there has never been a president who worked as hard as he does. He said his days are the longest, that he barely rests, and that the results of his leadership are unmatched in American history. He even listed accomplishments that many experts say are exaggerated or misleading, such as “stopping eight wars” and creating the strongest economy the country has ever seen. For Trump, repeating these achievements was a way of insisting he still has full control of his mind.
He also went into great detail about the medical tests he takes. According to Trump, he willingly submits to long, detailed physical and cognitive exams at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center because he feels he must prove he is healthy. He wrote that the doctors there give him perfect scores and are amazed by his results. Trump said some doctors even told him they had never seen such strong test performances from anyone his age. He described the tests as “boring,” but he said he takes them because he “owes it to the country.”
When talking about his cognitive exams, Trump repeated a familiar brag: that he “aced” all of them. He said he took these tests in front of large groups of doctors and that most people cannot pass them easily. He again suggested that previous presidents refused to take such tests because they knew they would not perform well. He portrayed himself as unique, sharper than anyone else, and mentally unbeatable.
Then his tone shifted sharply toward anger. He attacked The New York Times for reporting on concerns about his health, calling the newspaper “seditious” and “treasonous,” accusing it of purposely trying to harm him with lies. The Times had recently published a report showing that Trump has fewer public events, shorter workdays, and more “quiet time” built into his schedule than during his first term. It also noted that he often avoids early morning and late evening activities. Another opinion piece compared Trump’s behavior to the signs of aging that critics once used against Joe Biden, saying Trump was starting to appear slower, more confused, and less energetic.
Instead of addressing the substance of those reports, Trump lashed out at the paper, saying it was biased, dishonest, and dangerous. He went so far as to claim the country would be better off if The New York Times shut down completely. His message read as if he believed the newspaper was personally attacking him, not simply reporting observations.
While Trump claims to be in perfect health, questions surrounding him have grown louder. Reporters noticed the White House refused to explain why he received an MRI earlier in the year. The administration later insisted it was just a routine precaution because of his age, but medical experts said MRIs are not a standard part of presidential physicals unless there is a specific concern. That uncertainty raised more suspicion.
People have also been pointing out the bandages and bruises that keep appearing on Trump’s hands. These markings have been visible for days at different events, including at the Kennedy Center Honors. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, tried to calm speculation by saying the marks came from Trump taking aspirin and shaking countless hands at events. She insisted that Trump meets more Americans than any president in history and that the bruising is simply a result of constant public contact.
To his supporters, Trump’s late-night Truth Social rant was another example of him fighting back against the media. But to many others, it looked like a man trying very hard to convince the world—and maybe himself—that he is still as strong and capable as he once was. The stronger his denial becomes, the more people wonder what the White House is not telling them.
