Study Links Trump’s Increasingly Rambling Speeches to Cognitive Decline

Donald Trump’s Meandering Speeches Raise Concerns Over Mental Fitness

As the 2024 election season heats up, scrutiny over Donald Trump’s age and mental acuity has intensified. Recent analysis has revealed alarming patterns in Trump’s speeches that suggest he may be losing his grip on reality. Mental health professionals and computational assessments point to signs often associated with dementia in the increasingly verbose, erratic remarks of the 78-year-old former president.

Trump’s oratory has always featured a mix of hyperbole and repetition, but observers note a striking shift in tone and focus. Experts who have analyzed his recent speeches claim they are longer and more chaotic than in past years, showing a tendency towards darker and angrier rhetoric. Notably, his rally speeches have nearly doubled in length since 2016, and he increasingly employs absolute terms like “always” and “never,” indicators that may reflect cognitive decline with age.

In a recent debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump made a confusing statement, claiming that a cheering crowd supported him, despite there being no audience present. Such moments of disorientation have raised alarms about his mental state, with clinical psychologist Dr. Ben Michaelis suggesting Trump displays symptoms of sundowning, a common issue for those with dementia characterized by confusion and lack of coherence in the evening hours.

While Dr. Michaelis refrained from making a formal diagnosis, he raised concerns about Trump’s focus and coherence, particularly during later hours. Former White House staffers have also expressed worries over Trump’s cognitive health. Anthony Scaramucci, who briefly served as the White House communications director, remarked on Trump’s declining ability to articulate his thoughts effectively. Similarly, Sarah Matthews, a former deputy press secretary, pointed out troubling instances of confusion in Trump’s public appearances.

Adding another layer to the discourse, Trump has often labeled his detractors as “crazy.” In an upcoming book, investigative journalist Bob Woodward claims that Trump made controversial assertions during his presidency, including sending COVID tests to Vladimir Putin while the U.S. faced shortages. Trump has flatly denied these allegations, dismissing Woodward as a “bad storyteller” and claiming he has lost his mind.

Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung defended Trump, asserting that Woodward’s book lacks credibility and belongs in the bargain bin of fiction. As Trump’s campaign continues, the discussions surrounding his mental fitness show no signs of abating, with many wondering what this means for his political future.