Former President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of having “aced” three cognitive tests during a speech in North Carolina on Friday. His remarks come amid ongoing discussions regarding the health and mental fitness of current President Joe Biden, who is 79 years old. Trump’s comments included a critique of Biden’s cognitive abilities, further fueling the political debate surrounding their respective health.
Speaking to a crowd, Trump emphasized that he undertook cognitive assessments as part of his medical evaluations. “I did something no other president’s ever done. I took cognitive tests because I know that and by the way, not easy,” he remarked. This statement was part of a broader speech that was ostensibly focused on economic issues, yet Trump seized the moment to highlight his mental acuity.
Trump detailed the nature of the cognitive tests, describing an early question that required participants to identify animals. “The first question is like, ‘What is this?’ And they show a lion, a giraffe, a fish, and a hippopotamus. And they say, ‘Which is the giraffe?’” he recalled, suggesting that Biden would struggle with such questions. His comments were met with laughter from the audience as he humorously speculated about Biden’s potential answers.
During his presidency, Trump previously claimed a perfect score on cognitive tests in 2018, as confirmed by the White House physician at the time. He also mentioned taking another mental fitness test in April 2023, where he asserted he “got every answer right.” Just this month, he referred to a cognitive test conducted during his physical examination in October, stating that he “aced” it and was in “perfect health.”
Trump recounted a conversation with his doctors regarding the tests, indicating their advice about public perception. “They said, ‘Well here’s the good news. The good news is that if you do well that’s great…If you do badly it’s going to be the biggest story in history,’” he noted. This sentiment reflects the scrutiny surrounding not just Trump but the cognitive capabilities of public figures in high office.
Although Trump maintains that he is in excellent health, his comments have drawn skepticism from various quarters. Following his speech, Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, characterized Trump’s behavior as “sundowning,” a term often associated with cognitive decline. Similarly, Democratic Representative Ted Lieu questioned the rationale behind the continued cognitive testing of Trump.
Concerns about Trump’s mental fitness have been exacerbated by recent public appearances. Observers noted that he appeared to nod off during several daytime events, including a Cabinet meeting. This follows a controversial post on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he made unfounded claims about the late filmmaker Rob Reiner.
Medical professionals have also weighed in. Following Trump’s rambling address to the nation on Wednesday, Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who previously treated former Vice President Dick Cheney, expressed alarm over Trump’s “manic cadence,” describing it as “very disturbing.” He noted that the public has never seen a president exhibit such behavior.
In a moment of candidness, Trump acknowledged that his cognitive abilities might not always be “100 percent.” “There will be a time when perhaps I won’t be 100 percent,” he admitted. “When that time comes, I’ll let you know about it. In fact, you probably will find out about it just by watching.” Despite these admissions, he asserted that he feels as fit now as he did 50 years ago.
As the dialogue about the cognitive fitness of political leaders continues, Trump’s claims and the reactions they provoke are likely to remain a focal point in the public discourse.
