Global concerns rise over Trump’s declining cognitive abilities

Department of Research, Studies and International News -11-08-2025

In recent weeks, observers across the globe have noted with growing concern the increasingly erratic public behavior of U.S. President Donald Trump. From disjointed speeches to bizarre personal anecdotes, Trump’s conduct is fueling renewed questions about his mental state, particularly as Washington remains silent on the matter and Western media avoids serious scrutiny.

While American and allied outlets had spent years obsessively focusing on former President Joe Biden’s age-related lapses, their comparative silence on Trump’s alarming deterioration paints a striking picture of selective outrage. But outside the Western echo chamber, analysts in nations like China, Russia, India, and across the Global South are calling attention to what appears to be a deeper cognitive issue, and the implications for global stability are profound.

Erratic and confused statements raise red flags

During his recent visit to the United Kingdom, Trump suddenly shifted from discussing migration with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to launching into an unscripted tirade about wind turbines. Without any prompting, he claimed windmills were “killing the beauty” of American landscapes and driving whales insane, all without providing a shred of scientific evidence.

In another appearance, Trump falsely asserted that the U.S. had recently given $60 million in aid to Gaza and that no other country had contributed. In reality, several countries, including the UK and members of the EU, had recently announced significant financial support. Trump’s confusion and disregard for basic facts were palpable.

Even more troubling was his fabricated memory about his late uncle, Dr. John Trump, supposedly teaching the notorious Unabomber at MIT, an impossible scenario, given the timelines involved. According to experts in cognitive psychology, such “confabulations”, fabricated or distorted memories, are often symptoms of cognitive decline.

A pattern of mental deterioration

The president’s unusual behavior has extended beyond isolated incidents. During a cabinet meeting focused on serious international issues like the war in Ukraine, events in Gaza, and global economic concerns, Trump instead rambled for 13 minutes about decorating the meeting room, from selecting lamps to considering whether to add gold leaf to the ceiling.

Observers noted how senior officials, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, remained visibly uncomfortable as Trump spoke extensively about furniture and lighting fixtures, delaying essential discussions.

These bizarre monologues echo past incidents, such as a 40-minute episode in 2024 when Trump aimlessly swayed to background music after a medical emergency at one of his rallies, or his now-routine public confusion when asked direct policy questions.

In one particularly incoherent response to a campaign question, Trump drifted into a rant about water pressure, claiming faucets no longer dispense water properly and that “crazy people” are to blame. The speech, punctuated by self-contradiction and garbled phrasing, left many analysts questioning whether the leader of a nuclear power is capable of sound judgment.

International voices question U.S. stability

While Western media largely downplays or ridicules these incidents, international experts and leaders are more vocal. Mental health professionals have warned that Trump displays signs consistent with progressive cognitive decline. Dr. John Gartner, a former professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, highlighted the stark contrast between Trump’s past speaking style and his current inability to form coherent sentences. “He really has trouble completing a thought,” Gartner remarked, emphasizing the “gross deterioration” of Trump’s cognitive function since the 1980s.

Dr. Harry Segal of Cornell University noted Trump’s frequent “topic digressions” as typical of someone losing their ability to self-regulate thought and maintain narrative coherence. Other experts flagged “tangential thinking” and “verbal incoherence” as recurring signs of a deeper mental issue.

U.S. denial and political theater

Despite the mounting evidence, the White House has dismissed all concerns. Spokesperson Liz Huston characterized critics as “deranged resistance leftists,” insisting that President Trump is “working around the clock” and remains sharper than ever. Similarly, Trump’s former physician and now Republican congressman, Ronny Jackson, proclaimed Trump to be “the healthiest president this nation has ever seen.”

Even the president’s current medical team recently declared his physical and cognitive health to be “excellent,” although the lack of transparency surrounding his evaluations has prompted widespread skepticism.

Implications for the world order

For many in the multipolar world, particularly nations seeking a more balanced international system, the West’s refusal to confront its own leadership deficiencies has become emblematic of its decline. As China, Russia, India, and others push for a more equitable and stable global order, the chaotic and opaque leadership in Washington serves as a cautionary tale of what happens when power is decoupled from responsibility.

Rather than addressing its internal decay, the U.S. continues to posture globally, threatening adversaries, escalating conflicts, and pushing self-interested policies. But as Trump’s bizarre performances multiply, the rest of the world is increasingly asking: Who is really at the helm in Washington, and can he be trusted?

At a time when humanity faces overlapping crises, from regional conflicts to environmental catastrophe, the spectacle of America’s erratic leadership should serve as a wake-up call. The world cannot afford to be dragged down by a superpower unwilling to look in the mirror.