Trump Claims Success in Cognitive Tests Amid Health Concerns

Former President Donald Trump recently asserted that he has taken cognitive decline tests more frequently than any other U.S. president, claiming he has “aced” three Montreal Cognitive Assessments designed to evaluate cognitive function. In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump expressed pride in his performance, stating he completed the tests in front of numerous medical professionals.

Trump’s comments came during a lengthy tirade where he criticized The New York Times and insisted that the publication should cease operations. He emphasized that his cognitive tests, which screen for early dementia or mild cognitive impairment, are something “few people would be able to do very well,” suggesting that many previous presidents opted not to undergo such evaluations.

The former president first requested a cognitive assessment in 2018 from his physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, as a response to growing concerns about his mental fitness. A score of 26 or above is considered normal, and Trump claimed to have achieved a perfect score of 30, leading Jackson to declare him “fit for duty.” At that time, Jackson described Trump as “mentally very sharp, very intact.”

Since then, Trump has taken the cognitive assessment two additional times, once in April and again in October 2023. After the April test, he could not recall specific details but asserted, “I got every one right.” Following the October assessment, he described the test as “very hard” and challenged Democratic Representatives Jasmine Crockett and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to undergo the same evaluations to compare their results with his.

“Let AOC go against Trump. Let Jasmine go against Trump,” he remarked to reporters aboard Air Force One, framing the cognitive assessments as aptitude tests.

Despite Trump’s assertions of cognitive fitness, concerns regarding his mental health have been raised by medical professionals and even family members. Dr. John Gartner, a psychologist and former professor at Johns Hopkins University, noted that Trump exhibits clinical signs of dementia, indicating “immense cognitive decline.”

Trump’s niece, Mary Trump, echoed these concerns, comparing her uncle’s behavior to that of his father, Fred Trump Sr., who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for many years. Mary Trump observed similarities in demeanor, stating, “There are times I look at him and I see my grandfather. I see that same look of confusion.”

In addition to the cognitive assessments, Trump underwent an MRI during his latest physical examination in October. Initially, he expressed uncertainty about the purpose of the MRI, but the White House later stated it was a preventative measure due to his age. Medical experts, however, have raised skepticism, arguing there is “nothing standard” about such a scan for someone in his demographic.

In his Truth Social post, Trump criticized the media for reporting on his health, labeling it “seditious, perhaps even treasonous.” He described The New York Times as “Enemies of the People,” asserting that their coverage of his health is inaccurate and biased. He reiterated a long-standing claim regarding the publication’s supposed retractions related to the 2016 election, calling for its cessation of publication.

The discourse surrounding Trump’s cognitive health continues to attract attention, with various opinions emerging from both medical professionals and his family. As he continues to engage in public discussions about his mental acuity, the implications for his political future and public perception remain significant.