A renowned psychologist has recently sounded the alarm regarding Donald Trump’s mental state, highlighting that the former president’s unusual behavior may point to dementia worsening an existing personality disorder.
Dr. John Gartner, a well-known psychologist, former professor at Johns Hopkins University, and author, shared his insights on The Daily Beast Podcast.
He contends that Trump is showing clear clinical indications of cognitive decline. Gartner explains that when a person with a pre-existing personality disorder, such as what he refers to as “malignant narcissism,” develops dementia, their most troubling characteristics become more pronounced.
Gartner elaborated, “Individuals with dementia don’t merely become confused. They turn into the most extreme and uncensored versions of themselves, becoming more impulsive, aggressive, and disorganized.”
He identified Trump’s frequent verbal missteps, memory lapses, and episodes of visible confusion as classic signs of advancing dementia. Gartner also pointed out potential physical symptoms of “psychomotor retardation,” sharing an instance on Veterans Day when Trump seemed to struggle with raising his right arm to salute.
“It’s noticeable how lifting his hand posed a challenge,” Gartner remarked. “There’s also the apparent droop on the right side of his face in recent events and the distinct way he walks, swinging his right leg outward.
These kinds of asymmetrical motor symptoms can be linked to dementia, minor strokes, or a combination of both.”
These observations arise amidst ongoing debate over Trump’s health, particularly after an unscheduled trip to Walter Reed Medical Center in October.
The visit involved “advanced imaging and preventive assessments,” including an MRI, according to the White House. Trump later shared that the outcomes were impeccable, claiming the doctors called them “some of the best reports they’ve ever seen for a man his age.”
Nonetheless, several health specialists have voiced doubts about the limited information released concerning the visit, guessing that essential details might have been kept back.
Gartner’s evaluation is part of an increasing group of mental health professionals, many of whom haven’t examined Trump personally but base their opinions on his public behavior. They argue that the 79-year-old’s evolving cognitive and behavioral patterns pose vital questions about his capacity for significant leadership roles.
