America in the Throes of a President Suffering from Dementia

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Donald Trump, the President of America, has repeatedly drawn the attention of the media and experts with his unusual behavior and statements during his second term in office. These behaviors, which include sudden digressions from the main topic of conversation, false claims, and fabricated memories, have raised serious questions about his mental health and cognitive abilities.

Unusual Behaviors and Verbal Digressions

One of the most prominent features of Donald Trump’s recent behavior is his sudden digressions from the main topic during conversations and speeches. For example, in a recent meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Trump unexpectedly shifted the discussion from immigration to wind turbines, making irrelevant and illogical remarks about their alleged negative effects on natural landscapes, birds, and even whales. He claimed that wind turbines harm whales and kill birds, despite evidence showing that the number of birds killed by turbines is negligible compared to other factors, such as domestic cats or collisions with power lines.

Harry Segal, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University, views this behavior as a sign of a lack of speech control. According to him, Trump abruptly changes topics without maintaining a coherent narrative, indicating his inability to sustain focus. These verbal digressions are not limited to international meetings. During U.S. government sessions with cabinet members, Trump has repeatedly brought up unrelated topics, such as the decor of meeting rooms. For instance, in a meeting intended to discuss critical issues like the Texas floods, the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and global tariffs, he spent 13 minutes talking about the selection of paintings, frames, and lamps in the room, even delving into details like choosing beige for the walls and possibly adding gold leaf to the corners.

False Claims and Memory Lapses

Another concerning aspect of Trump’s behavior is his false claims and fabricated memories, which experts refer to as "confabulation." For example, he once claimed that his uncle, Professor John Trump, had taught Ted Kaczynski (the Unabomber) at MIT and described him as a "good" student. This claim is false in several ways: first, John Trump died in 1985, while Kaczynski was identified as the Unabomber in 1996. Second, Kaczynski never studied at MIT. Segal sees such statements as a sign of "cognitive decline," as Trump recounts these stories with confidence, as if they were real memories.

In another instance, when asked about the famine crisis in Gaza, Trump claimed that the U.S. had sent $60 million in aid two weeks prior and that no other country, including European nations, had contributed. However, no evidence of such aid was found, and on the contrary, records show that the UK and the European Union had allocated significant sums ($80 million and €195 million, respectively) to Gaza. These memory lapses, particularly in matters of foreign policy, have raised concerns about his ability to manage the complex responsibilities of the presidency.

Political Reactions and White House Defenses

While former President Joe Biden faced severe criticism for similar issues during the June 2024 debate and ultimately withdrew from the race, Trump has largely avoided similar scrutiny. However, some Democrats, including Texas Representative Yasmine Felicia Crockett and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have recently voiced sharp criticisms regarding Trump’s mental fitness.

In response, the White House and Trump’s political allies have vigorously defended him. Liz Huston, the White House press secretary, harshly criticized The Guardian’s reports as left-wing propaganda, asserting that the experts cited by the outlet were unqualified. Additionally, Ronny Jackson, the former White House physician, emphasized Trump’s "exceptional" physical and mental health, calling him "the healthiest president in U.S. history." The current White House physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, also released a report in April stating that Trump’s cognitive assessment results were normal and affirming that he is in good physical and mental condition.

Psychological Analysis and Expert Predictions

Psychologists and psychiatrists, such as Richard Friedman, a professor of clinical psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College, have noted alarming signs in Trump’s behavior. Friedman stated that if a patient exhibited symptoms like incoherent speech, disorganized thinking, and excessive repetition of phrases, he would refer them for a comprehensive psychological evaluation.

John Gartner, a psychologist and author who has taught at Johns Hopkins University for years, believes Trump’s current behaviors indicate signs of "dementia." Comparing Trump’s speeches from the 1980s, when he was described as "very articulate", to his current state, Gartner points to a sharp decline in his ability to complete thoughts and maintain verbal coherence. He predicts this decline may worsen during Trump’s second term.

Political and Social Implications

Trump’s unusual behavior has not only affected public perception of U.S. leadership but has also sparked broader debates about setting mental health standards for American political leaders. The removal of Trump’s official speech transcript from the White House website in May, reportedly for maintaining stability, fueled rumors of an attempt to conceal his psychological issues. Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters dismiss these criticisms as baseless, viewing them as mere attempts to undermine him and his international achievements.

In summary, Donald Trump’s strange and unusual statements and behaviors, from verbal digressions to false claims and fabricated memories, have raised serious questions about his mental health and cognitive abilities. While some experts see these as signs of cognitive decline, the White House and his political allies staunchly defend his physical and mental fitness. This clash between expert opinions and political support adds complexity to the issue. Nevertheless, given Trump’s reckless and uncontrollable actions, it is expected that his yes-men will soon need to find a way to save America from the political and international crises looming ahead.