Fact Check: It’s Rumored that Donald Trump Has Alzheimer’s Disease. Here’s What the Evidence Says
By Tony Bruce, Ben Emos and Jone Jones | Saturday, July 13, 2024 | 3 min read
Long-standing questions about Donald Trump’s mental fitness for office took on added urgency when he confuses Biden for Obama in a gaffe-filled weekend. Trump now 78, had shown a propensity for verbal gaffes, confusion and forgetfulness for quite sometimes now and as such, factors such as genetic predisposition and lifestyle may have contributed to this alarming trend.
As questions about former President Donald Trump’s mental acuity continue to swirl, experts and observers are examining a range of factors that may have contributed to his cognitive health. Among these factors, genetic predisposition and lifestyle choices are emerging as key areas of focus, shedding light on the complex interplay between biology and behavior.
His father, Fred Trump had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease since 1991, yet he continued to hold the title of chairman of the board of Trump Management even after the diagnosis. Remarkably, he remained actively involved in the business, coming into the office every day until he was hospitalized.
“In a court deposition, Elizabeth Trump, daughter of Fred Trump, asserted that her father did not recognize her. This revelation sheds light on the heartbreaking impact of Alzheimer’s disease, which can erode memory and recognition, leaving loved ones unrecognizable to those they once held dear.
The struggle faced by families dealing with Alzheimer’s is profound. The gradual fading of memories, the loss of connections, and the emotional toll can be overwhelming. Elizabeth’s testimony serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by individuals and their families when confronting this devastating illness.
Fred Trump’s legacy extends beyond his business empire. His battle with Alzheimer’s underscores the importance of research, compassion, and support for those affected by this relentless condition. As we reflect on his life, let us also recognize the resilience of families who navigate the difficult journey alongside their loved ones. When asked about his father’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Donald Trump acknowledged the challenging journey his father faced.
Even Trump’s own daughter, Ivanka, sensed something was wrong with her father when In a poignant moment, he appeared to ignore his ten-year-old grandson during an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) match. The scene unfolded as he greeted people in the crowd, shaking hands and hugging his daughter, Ivanka Trump, and her husband, Jared Kushner. Their son, Joseph, stood alongside them, eager for recognition. However, Mr. Trump moved on without acknowledging the young boy, leaving him with a sense of disappointment.
The video capturing this interaction circulated online, sparking discussions and speculation. Some attributed it to distraction, given the bustling atmosphere of the event. Others criticized Mr. Trump’s actions, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging family, especially a grandchild.
Regardless of the context, the image of a young boy seeking validation and being met with silence resonated deeply. Perhaps it serves as a reminder that even those in positions of power can overlook the simplest gestures that matter most..
At 78, Donald Trump would be the oldest president ever re-elected. Some voters were beginning to imagine grandpa — who instigated the only insurrection in the history of United State, who stole nuclear secrets — in charge of a bristling nuclear arsenal, and it was making them nervous. Experts say physiological and neurological changes linked to Alzheimer’s start showing up in the brain years before outward symptoms appear.
However, the physician who directly attended Donald Trump while he was a real-estate developer and at the start of his presidency reported that Trump’s bodyguard, lawyer, and another individual conducted a raid on his office, seizing the then-developer’s medical records without prior notice or consent. Dr. Bornstein’s description of feeling “raped, frightened, and sad” underscores the severity of the event from his perspective. This strong emotional reaction indicates that the seizure was highly intrusive and distressing, which adds a human element to the legal and ethical considerations.
At the time of the seizure, Keith Schiller was on the White House payroll, suggesting official involvement. Schiller’s role as a bodyguard and his presence during the removal of the records add a layer of official sanction to the action, raising questions about the extent of White House involvement and authorization.
There is no publicly available information or evidence to suggest that the raid on Dr. Bornstein’s office in 2018 was specifically aimed at obtaining a diagnosis related to Alzheimer’s disease or any other medical condition related to Donald Trump’s health. The raid was reportedly conducted to retrieve medical records belonging to Trump that were under Dr. Bornstein’s care.
While it’s known that there is a family history of Alzheimer’s disease in Trump’s family, including his father Fred Trump, there has been no official confirmation or indication that the raid on Dr. Bornstein’s office was motivated by efforts to uncover or alter medical records related to such diagnoses. Without further specific information or statements from involved parties, any claims regarding the raid’s purpose related to medical diagnoses would be speculative.
There has been ongoing public discussion and scrutiny regarding whether former President Donald Trump underwent formal cognitive tests during his presidency. Concerns arose particularly after some of his public statements and behaviors prompted questions about his mental acuity.
However, it’s important to note the following points:
During his presidency, Trump claimed to have taken a cognitive test and asserted that he performed well on it. He mentioned this in various interviews and public appearances.
Specific details about Trump’s medical examinations, including cognitive assessments, were not always fully disclosed to the public during his time in office. Trump’s White House physician at the time, Dr. Ronny Jackson, did not mention conducting specific cognitive tests in his public statements.
The topic of Trump’s cognitive health became a subject of political debate and media scrutiny, with critics and opponents questioning his fitness for office based on his behavior and statements.
Neither Trump nor his administration provided detailed information about cognitive testing or results beyond general statements asserting his mental fitness.
The raid on Dr. Harold Bornstein’s office in 2018, as previously mentioned, was reportedly related to obtaining Trump’s medical records. It did not specifically address cognitive tests or their results.
In summary, while Trump publicly mentioned taking a cognitive test and performing well on it, specific details or formal records of such tests have not been widely disclosed or confirmed by official medical records released during his presidency.
There were certainly indications of dementia (age, perhaps,) when the 78-year-old former president delivered a 15-minute speech during a rally in Las Vegas railing against both renewable energy and sharks in a wild rant.
Donald Trump continued his criticism of electric vehicles, extending it to electric boats by claiming they are excessively heavy and prone to sinking. However, his speech reportedly included various tangents, including an unrelated discussion about sharks.
Then, he pondered whether it would be preferable to be on a sinking electric boat or in the water with a shark.
“Do I get electrocuted if the boat is sinking, water goes over the battery, the boat is sinking, do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted, or do I jump over by the shark and not get electrocuted?” he asked.
Trump made it clear which option he would choose.
Two physicians analyzed transcripts and recordings of Trump’s speeches from various interviews and public appearances to determine if his speech patterns revealed subtle signs of cognitive decline.
The first study, which compared Trump’s speech patterns to those of other politicians, found that Trump had “significantly higher levels of cognitive impairment scores” than the other subjects in the study. The second study found that changes in Trump’s speaking patterns, known to be associated with the onset of dementia, were detectable.
Although these findings suggest that Trump exhibited subtle linguistic signs of cognitive decline while still president, they are experimental and not sufficient to retroactively diagnose him with Alzheimer’s during his time in office.
While the observed decline in language complexity is consistent with early signs of dementia, it is impossible to make a conclusive diagnosis based on our study. It’s also possible that President Trump deliberately simplified his language for political advantage.
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