'Transparently Mentally Ill': Psychologist Reignites Speculations Over Trump’s Cognitive Health

President Donald Trump’s cognitive health has been freshly questioned by psychologist Dr. John Gartner, who claims that the former's public behavior indicates progressive mental deterioration.

Gartner, a former assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, did not mince his words while speaking about president's health, claiming that Trump's cognitive decline signs are clear enough for even an untrained observer to notice from afar.

Specifically, Gartner cited Trump’s rhetorical patterns, pointing to his alleged deviation from topics and slurred speech.

Furthermore, the psychologist claimed that the president's late-night postings on Truth Social might be associated with psychosis.

Appearing as a guest on The Daily Beast Podcast, Gartner elaborated on the president's behavior, which he characterized as signs of dementia.

Noting that the president will celebrate his 80th birthday on June 14, 2026, the host asked what indicators would differentiate normal aging from those observed in Trump.

Gartner replied that while people mostly talk about the president's age, "his clinical condition matters more than his age," clarifying that while normal aging involves standard cognitive decline, Trump’s behaviors reflect “signs of dementia,” which is “very, very different."

The psychologist clarified, “Aging and dementia are not the same thing.”

He explained that age-related cognitive decline might cause an individual to forget the name of a person they intended to quote. However, Gartner said that in Trump’s case, he not only forgets the name of a person, but also fails to remember that he ever met them.

Gartner was referring to Trump reportedly forgetting about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries following a meeting he attended alongside Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The psychologist said, referring to the president, “He said several times, ‘Oh, Chuck Schumer came with a very nice man.’”

“You're forgetting you ever met the man, and you've been working with him for years. This is a level of deterioration that, at this point, it really is like the Emperor's new clothes,” Gartner added.

He went on, “Anybody who has eyes, ears, and a brain and is above mentally challenged intelligence and hasn't drunk the Kool-Aid or been bitten by a MAGA zombie, right, can see for themselves that this person is transparently mentally ill and cognitively deteriorating.”

He claimed that voters have been constantly showing in polls that Trump is not “cognitively equipped to do the job.”

On Tuesday, May 19, a journalist shared a picture of Trump, which quickly went viral on social media.

In the picture, Trump’s hand appeared to be covered with makeup, which looked significantly discolored compared to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s hand next to him.

Though the president's makeup and allegedly bruised hands have often been a topic of speculation, this was addressed by the White House.

A spokesperson told NBC News that Trump’s hand was bruised as he was “shaking hands all day every day."

Nevertheless, his age has fueled curiosity among the public.

Commenting on the viral picture of Trump's hand, one X user wrote, “His hand is looking so rough lately that it’s going to need to be pixelated soon.”

Another user stated, “It's almost like a mold. He's in serious trouble.”

“Rotting from the inside out,” added an individual.