Questions about Donald Trump’s health have emerged again, drawing renewed attention and concern. Although the White House physician has described the 78-year-old former president as being in “excellent health,” some within his own party remain skeptical. Republican strategist and Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson has voiced doubts about Trump’s cognitive abilities, warning that his mental decline could hinder him from completing another full term in office.
The renewed scrutiny follows Trump’s widely publicized medical evaluation in April, which aimed to quell speculation about his physical and mental fitness. According to White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump exhibited “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.” The report emphasized his “active lifestyle” as a major contributor to his overall health. The assessment involved 14 physicians and tested everything from reflexes and motor skills to mood indicators such as anxiety and depression.
On paper, Trump’s physical profile looked strong. Standing 6’3” and weighing just over 220 pounds, he reportedly shed around 25 pounds since leaving office. His cholesterol levels improved, and he continues to abstain from alcohol and tobacco—habits likely benefiting his long-term health. Minor issues noted included mild sun damage and scarring on his right ear, remnants from the assassination attempt at his July 2024 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Despite the positive report, Wilson insists there are warning signs. In an interview with Times Radio, he described Trump as “not coherent,” citing frequent verbal slips, tangential remarks, and what he called “aphasic episodes,” moments when Trump appears unable to clearly articulate his thoughts. “His inability to convey a coherent idea without digressing repeatedly is alarming,” Wilson said. “The man we see now isn’t the Trump of 2015—or even 2020. He has changed dramatically.”
Wilson’s concerns echo those of longtime observers who have noted shifts in Trump’s behavior over the years. While his doctors consistently declare him fit for duty, Wilson emphasizes that such evaluations don’t always capture cognitive decline. “You can pass a cognitive test yet still struggle with reasoning, focus, or emotional regulation in daily life,” he said. “That’s what some experts believe we’re seeing.”
Journalist Timothy L. O’Brien, who has reported on Trump for decades, shared similar worries on MSNBC’s The Weekend: Primetime. He noted that Trump’s father, Fred Trump, suffered from dementia late in life, a condition O’Brien says “looms over him.” Trump’s focus on running for a third term may be driven more by fear and self-preservation than pure political ambition, O’Brien added.
The health debate has increasingly taken on political overtones. Trump’s April 2025 report marked a departure from previous election seasons, when doctors issued brief, flattering statements—such as in 2016 and 2020—claiming he was in “astonishingly excellent health” without supporting data. This time, the examination was more thorough, perhaps in response to mounting media scrutiny and public concern.
During the 2024 campaign, Trump resisted calls for a full medical history, providing only letters from trusted physicians like Dr. Ronny Jackson and Dr. Bruce Aronwald. These letters confirmed he was in “excellent” health but lacked detailed test results. Campaign communications director Steven Cheung defended the approach, asserting Trump’s transparency was sufficient, while also taking shots at rival Kamala Harris’s stamina in comparison.
Yet critics point to Trump’s public behavior as troubling. Wilson and others highlight a pattern of erratic statements, emotional volatility, and incoherence as possible indicators of cognitive decline. “It’s more than slips of the tongue,” Wilson emphasized. “It’s a struggle to track thoughts, remember facts, or stay grounded in reality—a slow unraveling.”
Trump has long wielded health as a political tool, mocking opponents’ stamina, mental acuity, and age. Now, the scrutiny has come full circle. Defenders like Dr. Ronny Jackson continue to dismiss concerns, vouching for Trump’s mental sharpness and “tireless energy.” Their support has galvanized loyalists, framing the debate as politically motivated.
Still, skeptics like Wilson argue that loyalty shouldn’t obscure reality. “Asking whether a 78-year-old man showing confusion can handle another four-year term isn’t partisan—it’s a national security question,” he said.
The discussion raises broader questions about aging leaders and their capacity to govern under high pressure. While medical tests can measure cholesterol or reflexes, they cannot fully assess memory, focus, or emotional regulation—the qualities essential for leadership.
Summarizing the unease, Wilson warned: “The official results may say he’s fine, but the man we’re seeing—rambling, lashing out, and struggling to stay on message—tells a different story. That’s the one America needs to notice.”
As debate continues, the central question remains: not just whether Donald Trump is healthy enough to serve another term, but whether his mind and body can handle the demands of the presidency—and whether anyone close to him will speak up if they cannot.
