WASHINGTON – Growing concerns are emerging over the cognitive health of U.S. President Donald Trump, now 79, as mental health experts question whether he may be exhibiting early signs of dementia. The speculation comes amid his second presidency and intense public scrutiny.
Psychologist Dr. John Gartner, a long-time observer of presidential behavior, raised the possibility of frontotemporal dementia during an interview on The Dean Obeidallah Show. This specific form of dementia affects both speech and motor functions and is often marked by observable physical changes.
“When we talk about deterioration from dementia, I was focusing on language because that’s the thing we most observe, but also we always see deterioration in motor performance,” Dr. Gartner explained.
Four Key Warning Signs Outlined by Gartner
Dr. Gartner emphasized that his concerns are not based on isolated moments but on a pattern of behavior observed over the past few years. According to Irish Star Online, he pointed to four notable signs:
- Possible use of a catheter tube
Trump has appeared physically slower, and in some footage, what looked like a catheter tube under his right pant leg was visible — potentially indicating a medical need not publicly disclosed. - Struggles with stairs
“We found some of him doing athletic activities in the 80s. I have a film of him playing volleyball, diving to dig the ball and popping up and hitting a high shot, he was very coordinated,” Gartner recalled. “And now, you know he really does have trouble getting up the stairs, he does trip and fall.”
“His gait is slow, he is falling.” - Abnormal walking pattern
Trump has been seen swinging his right leg in a semicircular motion, which Gartner and several neurologists identify as diagnostic of frontotemporal dementia. “He has what they call a leg swing… like it’s a dead weight, and he’s just kind of swinging it around,” Gartner said. - Increased dependence on his left leg
A video from the Right Side Broadcasting Network showed Trump favoring his left leg while boarding Air Force One after the recent NATO summit in the Netherlands. “That left leg is doing all the heavy lifting. He’s really making sure that it’s firmly placed,” the network’s caption noted.
White House Responds with Clean Bill of Health
Despite these public concerns, an April assessment by the White House Medical Unit painted a starkly different picture.
“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,” wrote Captain Sean Barbabella in an official medical memo.
Trump also reportedly scored a perfect 30/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a widely-used screening test for cognitive function.
Still, debates surrounding his health persist on social media and among political commentators, especially as Trump continues to make global headlines and prepare for critical international meetings, including upcoming summits.
Background Context
Concerns about presidential health are not new in U.S. politics, but the intensity has grown in recent years as leaders in their late 70s and 80s remain at the helm of global decision-making. With the 2026 midterms approaching, scrutiny on President Trump’s physical and mental condition is only expected to increase.