US President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping denial of claims that he is slowing down, pushing back hard against a New York Times report that highlighted a reduced public schedule, fewer domestic trips, and an incident in which he appeared to doze off during an Oval Office meeting. At 79, Trump is the oldest person ever elected president, and scrutiny over his stamina and cognitive sharpness has intensified in recent months.
In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump insisted he is in “perfect” physical and cognitive health. He declared that no president has “worked as hard” as he has, emphasizing his long working hours and what he described as unmatched achievements — from ending “Eight Wars” to creating “the Greatest Economy” and enacting historic tax and regulatory cuts. He also pointed to what he framed as successes on border security, military rebuilding and global diplomacy.
Trump stressed that he undergoes what he called “long, thorough, and very boring” medical exams at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, claiming doctors have given him “PERFECT Marks.” He also said he has taken three cognitive tests, including one recently, and “aced” them all, asserting that few people could match his performance. He added that he would know when he begins to slow down, “but it’s not now.”
Questions over Trump’s health have persisted through his presidency. During a recent trip to Asia, he disclosed he had received an MRI in early October but said he did not know what exactly the test was meant to evaluate. He insisted doctors said his results were “as good as they’ve ever seen.” Observers have noted visible signs such as a bruise on his right hand — attributed by aides and his physician to aspirin use and frequent handshakes — and swollen ankles, which sparked speculation online. Trump has long rejected traditional exercise, believing people have a finite amount of energy, and continues to eat red meat and fast food.
The New York Times report that triggered Trump’s rebuttal described a president with a compressed public schedule, generally between noon and 5 pm, and limited travel. It also mentioned the Oval Office moment where Trump appeared to drift off as pharmaceutical executives briefed him on weight-loss drugs. Trump categorically rejected the article, calling it a “hit piece,” accusing the newspaper of treasonous behaviour, and describing it again as an “Enemy of the People.”
The White House defended Trump, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt contrasting Trump’s openness with what she alleged was the Biden administration’s secrecy over President Biden’s mental decline. She insisted Trump’s health “remains exceptional.”
As Trump prepares for the 2026 midterms and a demanding slate of domestic and international responsibilities, questions about age and fitness continue to shadow his presidency — even as he forcefully insists that his stamina, cognitive sharpness and work rate remain unmatched.
