Debates over Trump's health are heating up in the U.S.
In the U.S., debate over Donald Trump’s physical and mental health has flared up again after footage emerged online from the Oval Office showing him allegedly dozing off during an official event. The discussion quickly went beyond this single incident and escalated into a broader political and medical debate. Some experts point to alarming signs in the president’s behavior, though no official diagnosis has been made. The German publication Zeit reports on this.
In the United States, the topic of Donald Trump’s health has once again found itself at the center of political and media controversies, where every new incident instantly becomes a pretext for debate, interpretation, and mutual accusations between supporters and critics.
The catalyst was a moment in the Oval Office during an event dedicated to maternal health, when Trump sat at the table while other participants stood nearby and, as captured by Reuters cameras, closed his eyes for a few seconds. After the photo was published online, the White House reacted sharply, stating that the president had allegedly merely blinked and that any other interpretation was an exaggeration.
However, this episode only fueled earlier discussions, as the Western press, particularly the German publication Zeit, notes that Trump has recently been regularly in the spotlight due to his behavior, sharp statements, and public appearances, which some observers call controversial, while others view as a political style.
Physical signs are also drawing attention and are being actively discussed on social media, particularly bruises on his hands, swollen ankles, and an unsteady gait, which only intensifies questions about the president’s overall health and his ability to fully perform his duties.
The controversy was further fueled by an open letter from a group of 36 medical professionals—neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, many of whom are retired professors from American universities—who expressed their concerns about the politician’s mental state. The document, released in late April, states that, in their opinion, Trump’s behavior shows signs of deterioration and is causing increasing concern.
Among their arguments, the authors cite the chaotic nature of his public appearances, abrupt shifts in political positions, problems with concentration and impulsivity, and mention “manic-like states” and dangerous rhetoric regarding the use of force. At the same time, they emphasize that their statement is not political in nature and explain that it is necessary to draw public attention to the risks. “We are compelled to warn about a president of the United States who increasingly poses a danger to the public,” the doctors’ letter states.
Separately, the experts also note that Trump exhibits traits of “narcissistic and manic beliefs,” particularly in his public rhetoric and self-presentation.
At the same time, the professional medical community points out that making diagnoses based on observations or videos is unethical and impossible without a full clinical examination, which includes in-person consultations, tests, and additional medical studies.
The Zeit article also mentions the so-called “Goldwater Rule,” which prohibits psychiatrists from publicly assessing the mental state of politicians without a personal examination; however, even this does not alleviate the general public concern, which is only intensifying against the backdrop of new public incidents and statements.
Despite this, the authors of the discussions acknowledge: remote assessments cannot replace actual diagnosis, but they also do not eliminate the need for close observation of how one of the world’s most influential political figures looks and behaves.
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