'He's not doing well': Psychologists say Trump showing telltale signs of 'early dementia'

Make-up covers the back of the right hand of U.S. President Donald Trump, as he makes an announcement on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., August 22, 2025. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Two psychologists have recently pointed to several indicators that they argue show President Donald Trump is battling "early dementia."

The Daily Beast reported Monday that in the latest episode of the podcast "Shrinking Trump," psychologists John Gartner (who was educated at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University) and Harry Segal (a psychology professor at Cornell University) said Trump's pattern of falling asleep in public is particularly concerning for the 79 year-old president. They pointed to Trump's attendance at the U.S. Open men's singles final between Italy's Jannik Sinner and Spain's Carlos Alcaraz as just the latest example of a pattern the president has exhibited before.

"You’re at the finals of the U.S. Open, a riveting performance ... you’re the center of attention," Gartner said. "So how does Trump react? Oh, he’s asleep again, just like he slept through most of the days of his criminal trial."

The two also noticed that one side of Trump's face appeared to be drooping while he was attending a commemoration of the 24th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Asymmetrical facial drooping is typically associated with stroke patients, or with people who suffer from Bell's palsy. And they said Trump's swollen ankles could be a sign of another chronic condition.

"Congestive heart failure is what typically causes swelling, you know, largely swollen ankles. I think he’s not, I mean, he’s not doing well," Segal said. He maintained that Trump's facial drooping was "significant" and "not a normal face."

Trump has also been seen in public with large bruises on his hands, which he has occasionally attempted to cover with makeup. While the White House has said the bruising is a combination of Trump's frequent handshaking and aspirin use, Gartner pushed back and argued that Trump may be more sick than the administration is letting on.

“They’re obviously hiding the more serious problem,” Gartner said. “He’s probably getting some kind of IV fluids.”

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