Psychologist Claims Trump Shows Signs of Dementia Deterioration

A prominent psychologist has raised concerns about President Donald Trump’s mental health, suggesting he may exhibit signs of dementia. Dr. John Gartner, a former professor at Johns Hopkins University, shared his observations during an interview on The Daily Beast Podcast. He noted a significant decline in Trump’s language abilities, motor skills, and impulse control, which he believes indicate a serious cognitive impairment.

Dr. Gartner explained that diagnosing dementia involves comparing an individual’s current abilities to their previous baseline. He stated, “We have to see a major deterioration in functioning in language and thinking and psychomotor performance and impulse control.” He emphasized that Trump was previously known for his articulate speech and sophisticated vocabulary. “Now what we see is not only has his vocabulary gone down, but there are times when he’s really unable to complete a thought,” Gartner added.

One example cited by Gartner involved Trump’s tendency to veer off-topic during speeches. He referenced a moment when Trump connected immigration to the movie Silence of the Lambs, saying, “He was lying and saying that they’re sending all these immigrants from insane asylums, right? And then he goes, ‘Silence of the Lambs. Anyone seen Silence of the Lambs?’” This diversion, according to Gartner, illustrates a troubling shift in Trump’s cognitive coherence.

Furthering his assessment, Dr. Gartner described Trump as a “malignant narcissist,” combining this personality trait with what he sees as a decline in cognitive functioning. He stated, “So we have in a sense the worst of both worlds because his judgment was always bad, he was always impulsive, he was always a liar, but now he really is losing his ability to think clearly.”

Dr. Gartner also pointed to additional physical symptoms that could be linked to cognitive decline. He mentioned that some experts believe Trump may have frontotemporal dementia, particularly due to observations of his gait. “If you look at his right leg, sometimes he just swings it like a dead weight in a semicircle,” he noted, adding that such a symptom is characteristic of this type of dementia.

Moreover, Gartner referenced Trump’s diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency and noted that footage from a memorial event on September 11 showed the president with what some observers described as a “droopy face.” He remarked, “That’s not something that comes with age. It really is suggestive of some kind of potential mini stroke.”

While acknowledging that the relationship between Trump’s circulatory issues and his cognitive deterioration remains unclear, Gartner asserted, “He’s clearly deteriorating mentally and physically.” He emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation to better understand Trump’s health status, highlighting the complexity of diagnosing dementia, especially in a public figure.

As discussions about Trump’s health continue, his cognitive and physical state raises important questions about the implications for his decision-making and leadership as the 45th President of the United States.