Overview

• At a May 28 press conference, Trump asked “On what?” and “For the French?” when questioned about resuming halted international student visa interviews
• The visa interviews were suspended under a new policy requiring U.S. embassies to screen applicants’ social media accounts before scheduling
• Observers say the gaffe underscores accumulating examples of Trump professing ignorance on key administration decisions like nominations and global events
• Critics draw parallels with past allegations of President Biden’s cognitive decline, questioning inconsistencies in media scrutiny of mental fitness
• The incident renews scrutiny over Trump’s capacity to oversee policy and deepens questions about presidential awareness