A Republican political strategist has raised concerns about President Donald Trump’s mental and cognitive health, suggesting that he may not complete his term. Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, recently appeared on Times Radio to discuss the potential cognitive issues he believes Trump may be facing.
Concerns Over Trump’s Cognitive Health
Wilson pointed out that Trump’s ability to communicate has noticeably declined, arguing that he’s showing more than just “senior moments.” Despite having passed a psychological and physical assessment weeks earlier, Wilson claims that Trump’s cognitive struggles are more evident than previously thought.
He commented:
“He is incoherent. His inability to articulate any thought or position without constant asides, constant lapses, the verbal aphasias he is experiencing at various points.” Wilson also noted that Trump’s current behavior is far different from his earlier years, stating, “The man you’re watching today is not the Trump of 2015, nor is he the Trump of 2020, he’s not even the Trump of 2024.”
A Broader Perspective on Cognitive Decline
The concern about Trump’s cognitive health isn’t limited to just Wilson. Other experts have speculated that Trump could be experiencing signs of early dementia, though there’s no concrete evidence to support these claims.
Wilson further emphasized that many professionals have observed similar behavior in early dementia cases, suggesting that the president may be suffering from cognitive decline.
He added:
“There are an awful lot of professionals in the world who are looking at the same set of behaviors and saying, ‘This is what we see in early dementia cases.’ … this is what we see when there is a cognitive decline.”
Wilson’s comments also touched on the fact that age-related decline in cognitive abilities is not uncommon, particularly in older individuals, and the struggles Trump is facing with communication could be a result of his age.
Speculation Around Trump’s Health and His Age
Wilson’s remarks come amid growing speculation about Trump’s health. Recently, there were concerns surrounding his sudden weight loss, though the exact cause remains unclear.
These health concerns are compounded by the fact that Trump is the same age Joe Biden was when he took office in 2021, adding further context to the conversation about the health of older political figures.
While concerns about Trump’s health have persisted, his physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, issued a statement in April, reassuring the public that the president is in good health.
The statement confirmed that Trump continues to exhibit robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and physical functions, adding that he is “fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief.”
A Larger Conversation About Presidential Health
Wilson’s comments also come amid a bombshell book by Jake Tapper, which raised concerns about Biden’s health deteriorating since taking office.
This has sparked a wider conversation about the health of the two oldest U.S. presidents in history, with both Trump and Biden facing public scrutiny over their cognitive and physical well-being.
While the White House has reassured the public about Trump’s mental acuity, with an official clearance stating that he is “fit to serve,” these concerns are unlikely to dissipate as both parties and the public continue to focus on the age and health of their leaders.