Renewed attention has been drawn to Donald Trump’s health and mental sharpness after a moment in which the US President appeared to struggle to recall the word “Alzheimer’s” while speaking about his late father’s illness, even as he insisted he had no concerns about the memory-destroying neurological condition.
In an unscripted interview with New York Magazine, the 79-year-old reflected on his family’s medical history and briefly paused while referring to his father Fred Trump’s condition. Midway through his remarks, Trump hesitated, gestured toward his forehead, and asked what the illness was called, before White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt supplied the word “Alzheimer’s.” Trump then responded by saying he did not have it and described his own health as “perfect.”
Trump went on to say that his father had been exceptionally strong, with few health issues until very late in life. He recalled that around the age of 86 or 87, his father began showing symptoms of the disease, but reiterated that he himself was unaffected and unconcerned. When asked whether the hereditary nature of Alzheimer’s worried him, Trump brushed aside the suggestion, saying he does not think about it and that his attitude toward life guides his response to such questions.
Fred Trump, a well-known New York real estate developer, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the early 1990s and lived with the condition for several years before dying in 1999 at the age of 93. Trump has previously spoken openly about his father’s diagnosis and has often cited it when discussing genetics, longevity, and his own emphasis on cognitive testing.
Clips and transcripts from the interview quickly circulated online, prompting mixed reactions. Critics argued that the hesitation could point to broader cognitive concerns, while supporters dismissed it as a minor verbal slip common in spontaneous conversation.
The episode comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the mental fitness of senior political leaders in the United States. Trump, now the oldest person to serve a second term as president, has repeatedly rejected questions about his health, maintaining that he is in excellent physical and mental condition and frequently highlighting his performance on cognitive assessments.
During the interview, Trump stressed his stamina, claiming he feels no different than he did decades ago. The White House also moved quickly to play down the incident, with Communications Director Steven Cheung stating that the president remains in “perfect physical and cognitive health” and praising what he called Trump’s extraordinary work ethic. Press Secretary Leavitt added that Trump regularly works late into the night and outpaces many of his staff.
In a recent post on Truth Social following a cognitive test, Trump said White House doctors had declared him in “perfect health” and claimed he had answered 100 percent of the questions correctly, describing it as his third straight successful cognitive examination.
Speculation about Trump’s health has intensified in recent months after a string of public moments, including stumbling while boarding Air Force One, appearing to nod off during lengthy Cabinet meetings, visible bruising on his hands, swelling in his ankles, and a short period out of public view. At one point, online rumours escalated to the extent that “Trump Is Dead” trended on social media, prompting the White House to issue a direct reassurance that the president was alive.
