Psychologist Warns of Donald Trump’s ‘Massive Cognitive Decline’ Amid White House Claims of Good Health (Video)
Since Donald Trump returned to the White House for his second term in January 2025, questions about his physical and mental health have become a major public topic. Over the months, people have noticed moments where he seemed confused, spoke in slurred or incoherent sentences, or appeared tired. Reports of possible dementia and a recently diagnosed vein condition have only fueled growing concern.
In April 2025, the White House released a full medical report following Trump’s routine checkup. According to that report, the president was said to be “in excellent health.” His body weight and other vital signs were shared with the public, reassuring supporters that he was physically fit.
However, not everyone is convinced. Dr. John Gartner, a former psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, has been one of Trump’s most outspoken critics. He believes the president is showing a “massive increase” in symptoms of dementia and says his behavior reflects a condition called “malignant narcissism.” Speaking on The Daily Beast podcast, Gartner pointed out Trump’s recent speeches where he drifted between unrelated topics, such as talking about the morale of U.S. Marines and suddenly switching to “Biden’s autopen” and “gorgeous paper,” bragging that “everyone loves my signature.” Gartner said these confused remarks show “immense cognitive decline.”
According to Dr. Gartner, Trump’s pattern of jumping from one topic to another without logical connection suggests more than simple forgetfulness—it could be a neurological issue. He explained that Trump often shows signs of phonemic paraphasia, where a person mixes up words or loses track of their thoughts in a way that suggests brain dysfunction, not just aging.
Gartner also described Trump as having malignant narcissism—a severe form of narcissism that includes a lack of empathy, arrogance, and a sense of entitlement. He explained that all narcissists try to maintain a grand, false image of themselves, but the malignant type goes further, showing cruelty and even sadism. Gartner said Trump’s recent behavior online—such as posting AI-generated videos depicting himself bombing protesters or presenting himself as a mighty ruler—shows how deep this disorder may have become.
“He could wake up one morning confused and angry enough to do something truly catastrophic,” Gartner warned. His comments echoed claims from author Michael Wolff, who has written several books about Trump and believes the president’s health is declining to the point where he might not be able to complete another term after 2029.
Trump’s own family members have also voiced concern. His niece, Mary Trump, who is a psychologist herself, has said publicly that her uncle is “not fit to serve,” repeating her claim on her YouTube channel. Many critics believe that under his leadership, the U.S. is moving toward a more authoritarian system, with democracy slowly eroding.
Despite all the criticism, the White House has continued to defend the president’s health. Earlier this month, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump would be going for his second yearly checkup at Walter Reed Medical Center. She explained that he would also meet with U.S. troops during the visit and then return to the White House afterward.
Before the appointment, Trump told reporters, “I’m meeting with the troops … doing a sort of semiannual physical. I think I’m in great shape, but I’ll let you know.” He added confidently, “Physically, I feel very good. Mentally, I feel very good.”
Still, the debate over his health continues to dominate conversations in the media and among voters. Some believe he is perfectly fine and that his behavior is just part of his unpredictable personality. Others worry that his apparent decline could have serious consequences for the country’s leadership and global stability. Whatever the truth may be, Donald Trump’s health has become one of the most closely watched issues of his presidency.
