Concern over Donald Trump's mental fitness has escalated in recent weeks, fueled by a series of polls, expert assessments, and congressional action. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found that 56% of Americans believe Trump lacks the mental sharpness to serve effectively, while 51% question his physical health. A Reuters-Ipsos poll reported that 61% of respondents agreed Trump has 'become erratic with age,' including 30% of Republicans. A CNN poll showed the percentage believing Trump has the 'stamina and sharpness to serve effectively' dropped from 53% in late 2023 to 46%. According to multiple reports, Trump's late-night social media posts may signal cognitive concerns.
Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin has taken formal steps to address these concerns. According to multiple media reports, Raskin sponsored a bill to establish a commission to assess Trump's fitness under the 25th Amendment. He also wrote a letter to White House physician Captain Sean Barbabella requesting a cognitive examination for Trump. According to the congressman, Raskin cited specific incidents as evidence of decline, including Trump's profane Easter threats to Iran and graphic remarks at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
I have to be careful because I don't want to trip or fall.
Trump's own comments have added to the scrutiny. According to Daily Express - Health, Trump described needing to be careful to avoid tripping or falling. According to Pakman, political commentator David Pakman said Trump suffered a 'complete and total collapse' during a CNBC interview.
Expert assessments have been stark. According to Cyrulnik, French neuropsychiatrist Boris Cyrulnik said Trump is not mentally ill but is a 'psychopath' driven by impulses. According to Cobb, former White House attorney Ty Cobb said Trump's cognitive decline has 'accelerated' and he shows signs of dementia. Cobb also said Trump is 'clearly insane' but the cabinet will not invoke the 25th Amendment. According to Gartner, psychologist Dr. John Gartner said Trump has been showing signs of frontotemporal dementia since 2019 and his deterioration is accelerating. According to Gupta, MSNBC medical analyst Dr. Vin Gupta said Trump is exhibiting all signs of dementia.
Trump Derangement Syndrome
The White House has denied any cognitive issues. According to Ingle, White House spokesman Davis Ingle dismissed critics as suffering from 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' and asserted Trump's sharpness and energy. According to multiple reports, Trump's last annual physical was in April 2025, and his doctor declared him in excellent health with a perfect cognitive score. According to Meiselas, broadcaster Ben Meiselas claimed Trump missed his annual physical or is covering it up.
Comparative polling reveals a complex picture of public views on the mental fitness of both Trump and President Joe Biden. A PBS NewsHour/NPR/Marist poll found that 62% of Americans say that the question of Joe Biden's mental fitness is a real concern about his ability to be president, while 36% dismiss concerns as campaign strategy. For Trump, 43% of Americans say the same. Among Republicans, 84% question Biden's fitness, while nearly two out of three Democrats say concerns about Biden are simply campaign rhetoric. Among independent voters, by a more than two-to-one margin, they are more likely to say Biden's mental fitness is a real concern than a political strategy; their view of Trump is more evenly split, 48% to 42%. The poll also found that 45% of the Silent and Greatest Generations question Biden's fitness, while 14% are unsure. The Washington Post-ABC News poll found more concern for Trump's mental fitness than the 43% in the earlier PBS poll.
These conflicting poll numbers highlight a deep partisan divide over the fitness of both candidates. While the White House denies any cognitive decline, the growing chorus of expert opinions and public concern suggests the issue will remain a focal point in the political landscape. It remains unclear whether Trump has undergone a recent comprehensive cognitive evaluation, and whether the White House will release his full medical records or allow independent testing. The status of Representative Raskin's bill and letter regarding the 25th Amendment assessment is also uncertain.