WASHINGTON — Two clinical psychologists are raising new concerns about President Donald Trump’s health, pointing to signs they say are consistent with dementia, including verbal decline and motor deterioration.
Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gartner, who have studied Trump’s behavior for years, claim the 79-year-old has been exhibiting symptoms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a rare and progressive disorder that affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in language, behavior, and movement.
Speaking on their program Shrinking Trump, the pair said that while Trump’s public speech patterns and verbal slips have long raised questions, his psychomotor performance is now a growing concern.
“We’re seeing a deterioration in his motor performance,” Dr. Gartner explained. “That also goes with dementia, because with dementia there’s a deterioration of all faculties, all functions.”
A “Telltale” Symptom
Dr. Gartner highlighted one symptom in particular: a wide-based gait, in which a person swings one leg in a semicircle, causing imbalance. He described it as a “dead ringer telltale sign of frontotemporal dementia.”
The psychologists pointed to video footage of Trump during a recent summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. On a red carpet, Trump appeared to sway and overcorrect as he walked, weaving from side to side.
“If they pulled you over for a DUI and you walked that line, you would fail,” Dr. Gartner remarked. Dr. Segal agreed, calling the footage “very odd” and noting that Trump did not appear intoxicated.
Language and Behavior
Beyond motor issues, the experts said Trump’s language and verbal function continue to show signs of deterioration. They argue that his frequent tangents, repetitions, and apparent loss of vocabulary go beyond ordinary aging.
“His public demeanor and verbal dysfunction were the first things we noticed,” Dr. Segal said. “Now we’re seeing it manifest physically.”
Frontotemporal dementia, unlike Alzheimer’s disease, often emerges earlier and initially affects behavior and speech. The condition usually worsens over several years, impairing judgment, communication, and eventually motor control.
Trump’s Response
Trump has publicly dismissed speculation about his health. Following his annual medical exam in April, he boasted that he had achieved the “highest mark” on a cognitive test. Critics, including Drs. Segal and Gartner, have noted that such screenings are not designed to rule out early dementia and are considered relatively easy to pass.
In public appearances, Trump has mocked concerns about his health, pointing instead to President Biden’s stumbles and verbal gaffes. On the campaign trail, he often jokes that his energy levels prove he is “as sharp as ever.”
Political Implications
The warnings come as Trump continues his bid for re-election, with his health a recurring topic among both supporters and opponents. Allies dismiss medical speculation as partisan attacks, while critics say his behavior raises legitimate concerns about fitness for office.
Experts caution that diagnosing dementia from afar is difficult. Still, Segal and Gartner argue that the visible signs are troubling enough to warrant serious scrutiny.
“This isn’t about politics,” Dr. Gartner said. “It’s about what we’re seeing clinically: a pattern of decline that fits with known medical conditions.”
A Nation Watching
For now, Trump’s medical records remain largely private, with only selective details released by his physicians. Unless more transparency is provided, speculation is likely to continue.
What is clear is that Trump’s every move — from his speeches to the way he walks — will be intensely scrutinized as the election draws closer.
As Dr. Segal put it: “The American people deserve to know if the person asking for their vote is cognitively and physically able to serve.”
