‘He won’t finish his term’: Rumors swirl after new Trump claim about ‘cognitive exam’

Donald Trump posted a surprising message on social media early Friday morning that quickly drew a lot of attention and sparked rumors and debate online. The post focused on cognitive tests, which many people found unusual and concerning, especially given what had been reported just before it appeared.

The timing mattered. Not long before Trump’s post, a troubling report had circulated describing concerns about his health. That report included accounts from people close to him who claimed his condition may be worsening, along with suggestions that he may be dealing with hearing problems. Against that backdrop, Trump went on Truth Social to strongly defend himself and push back on any doubts.

In his message, Trump said White House doctors had told him he was in “perfect health.” He also claimed that he had “aced” his cognitive exam for the third time in a row, saying he answered 100 percent of the questions correctly. He went further by boasting that no other president or vice president had ever been willing to take such a test, presenting this as proof that he had nothing to hide and that his mental abilities were solid.

Instead of calming concerns, the post made many observers even more uneasy. Several people pointed out that repeatedly bringing up cognitive tests is not something most people with strong mental health feel the need to do. Former Republican strategist Sarah Longwell remarked that for someone claiming perfect cognitive health, Trump seems unusually focused on taking and publicizing these exams.

Others noticed inconsistencies. Investigative journalist Adam Cochran pointed out that Trump appeared to forget he had already made the exact same claim just weeks earlier. Trump had announced that he “aced” a cognitive test in early December, yet his latest post was written as if the news were brand new. To critics, this repetition made the message seem less credible and more defensive.

The account PatriotTakes, which monitors far-right figures and rhetoric, also highlighted the post, noting once again that Trump was publicly claiming to have passed another cognitive exam. Progressive commentator Alex Cole questioned why Trump seemed to view being repeatedly tested as a badge of honor, suggesting that it actually signals ongoing concern rather than confidence.

Some reactions were openly sarcastic. The parody account NYTPitchbot mocked the situation by comparing Trump’s pride in narrowly passing a basic cognitive screening to more traditional intellectual achievements, pointing out the absurd contrast in how “accomplishments” are framed in politics.

Other critics were much harsher. A widely followed account associated with Tom Joseph claimed Trump’s mental decline appeared serious. That account emphasized that Trump wrote his post as though doctors had just delivered the news, even though he made the same statements more than a month earlier after what critics described as a questionable or staged physical exam. The post went on to argue that Trump’s behavior suggested confusion and deterioration, even predicting that he would not be able to complete his term.

Overall, Trump’s attempt to reassure the public about his mental and physical health seemed to backfire. Instead of ending speculation, it intensified scrutiny, raised more questions about his consistency and self-awareness, and fueled both concern and mockery across the political spectrum.