Recent Trump Flubs Spark Concerns of ‘Cognitive Decline’ Online

A series of gaffes by President Donald Trump has sparked concern regarding his mental acuity, with some questioning whether the 78-year-old is experiencing cognitive decline.

An interview with ABC’s Terry Moran on Tuesday garnered speculation when Trump insisted an obviously doctored image of wrongly deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckles with an “MS-13” tattoo was authentic. When Moran pushed back, Trump became combative.

The discussion escalated following Trump’s appearance at a NewsNation town hall, where he appeared to conflate Harvard with Harlem in a disorienting response to a question from ESPN’s Stephen Smith about academic freedom at the Ivy League university.

“We had riots in Harlem,” Trump said. “People from Harlem went up and protested…very strongly against Harvard,” he continued before speaking about his popularity within the Black community. “I got a very high Black vote…I did criminal justice reform. I did opportunity zones.”

“This is classic Frontotemporal dementia behavior,” tweeted political commentator Tom Joseph. “We are in trouble. He has to be removed.”

Concern was further fueled by a May 1 speech at the White House where Trump told his audience, “I had yesterday the Philadelphia Eagles here,” despite the NFL team’s White House visit having taken place days prior on April 28.

As accusations of cognitive decline and dementia accumulated, Rep. Daniel Goldman (D-NY) joined in. “Whether it’s due to incompetence, ignorance, cognitive decline, or just plain lying, Trump’s 100 days have been a disaster for the American people.”

Critics also point to policy fallout from Trump’s controversial first 100 days—including economic turmoil from tariffs, the wrongful deportation of U.S. citizens, and record-setting legal battles—as signs of dysfunction at the highest levels of the administration.

Trump’s cognitive health was questioned on the campaign trail as well, but he has long dismissed concerns as partisan attacks, recently claiming he received the “highest mark” on a cognitive exam he took during a health physical.

Still, the growing number of high-profile stumbles—paired with the immense scrutiny of a presidency marked by chaos—has made the topic of the president’s cognitive health a major talking point once again.