At 79, President Donald Trump has said some puzzling things in public lately. His unusual statements have some specialists calling for a proper check-up.
Dr. Narinder Kapur, a neuropsychologist and visiting professor at University College London, said Trump should take a full Alzheimer’s screening. He described some of the president’s recent remarks as “odd and strange.”
Kapur pointed to Trump suggesting Canada could become the U.S.’s “51st state” and his long-running interest in buying Greenland. “These remarks are eyebrow-raising,” Kapur said.
The White House points to Trump passing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a 10-minute cognitive test he often shares as proof of his mental sharpness. Kapur said the test is too short.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news!
Subscribe and start recieving our daily emails.
“A proper neuropsychological exam takes three to four hours and examines five key areas: memory, concentration, language, visuospatial abilities, and executive function,” he said. Kapur also recommended that Trump take new blood tests that can flag early signs of Alzheimer’s.
At a military gathering in Quantico, Trump delivered what some described as a “quieter and more confused” speech than usual. He invited officers to clap for him and suggested using U.S. cities as “training grounds” for the military. Veterans and historians were not impressed.
Psychologist Dr. John Gartner observed “major deterioration” in Trump’s language and motor skills. He mentioned slowed walking and verbal stumbles. Other statements added to the concern. Trump falsely claimed he was the first U.S. president to be welcomed at Windsor Castle and said he was going to Russia for peace talks, when the meeting actually took place in Alaska.
Kapur acknowledged that some mistakes might be political exaggeration, but the frequency of errors is concerning. Trump also linked autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy. “More rigorous testing is needed,” Kapur said. “There are now blood tests for Alzheimer’s. The next time he has his annual exam, Donald Trump should have that blood test.”
A full evaluation could show whether these incidents are normal aging, political calculation, or something more serious.
The White House maintains Trump is in “excellent health.” Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, reported in April that Trump displayed “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.” Still, a short cognitive test may not catch subtle decline in a 79-year-old.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
