Former President Donald Trump closes his eyes at Manhattan criminal court. Mandatory Credit:
Former President Donald J. Trump wipes sweat from his eye while speaking on Aug. 22, 2024, in Sierra Vista.

President Donald Trump is pushing back on questions about his age and stamina following a New York Times report about his energy levels.

"Trump has always used his stamina and energy as a political strength, but that image is getting harder for him to sustain," reads the article, which reported on the president's shorter days in office and signs of recent fatigue.

Trump, 79, clapped back in a post on his Truth Social platform.

"Lunatics in the New York Times did a hit piece on me that I am perhaps losing my (e)nergy, despite facts that show the exact opposite," he posted on Wednesday, Nov. 26.

"There will be a day when I run low on energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST (“That was aced”) JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now! GOD BLESS AMERICA & MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!"

The New York Times pushed back on Trump's attacks on Wednesday.

"The Times's reporting is accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts. Name-calling and personal insults don't change that, nor will our journalists hesitate to cover this administration in the face of intimidation tactics like this," Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesman for the Times said in a statement emailed to USA TODAY.

Donald Trump turns 80 in June

Earlier this month, a Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found Trump spent about 20 minutes fighting to keep his eyes open at a recent Oval Office press conference.

During the event, an attendee collapsed while speakers were discussing a deal to reduce the cost of weight loss drugs.

Trump's actions and comments come after his frequent public "Sleepy Joe" remarks about former President Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left office.

Trump turns 80 in June.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump bashes report on his age: 'It certainly is not now!'

Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect