Overview

• On the podcast Shrinking Trump, psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal said the president’s recent appearances show signs consistent with early dementia.
• They cited a recurring tendency to fall asleep at high-profile events, including the U.S. Open, and a noticeable facial droop seen during a 9/11 memorial ceremony.
• Segal pointed to visibly swollen ankles as potentially concerning for cardiac issues, while Gartner alleged the administration may be concealing problems and speculated about IV fluids.
• The White House countered with a statement from Rep. Ronny Jackson asserting the president is the “healthiest” ever and “sharper than ever,” and it attributed hand bruising to frequent handshakes and aspirin use.
• Public curiosity spiked after a four-day absence from view, with searches like “Is Trump dead?” surging and the phrase “Trump is dead” briefly trending on social media.