At 80 years old, the US president has swollen ankles, bruised hands, a neck rash, and his niece says he's in a 'downward health spiral'. Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, wrote that her uncle's 'decaying' health can no longer be ignored, citing erratic behaviour, late-night posting sprees and the flailing Iran peace deal. The White House disputes this, calling Mary a 'stone-cold loser who doesn't have a clue about anything', but the speculation about Donald Trump's physical and mental fitness has become a recurring theme in his second term.
Trump turned 80 in June 2025 and has faced persistent questions about his health. He has made multiple visits to Walter Reed Medical Centre — three in 13 months, including one in late May 2026 for a routine check-up involving a CT scan, heart imaging, cancer screenings and assessments by 22 specialists. The White House declared him 'fully fit' to serve. Trump himself boasted of scoring 'a perfect 30 out of 30' on a cognitive test, which he described as 'extreme intelligence', and said he has taken such tests four times, each time perfectly. Experts believe the test may be the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, used to screen for dementia.
“Explains speculation about Donald Trump's physical and mental health, including recent claims by his niece.”
Yet signs of decline have been noted. In July 2025, Trump was seen struggling to stay awake while Medicare administrator Dr Mehmet Oz spoke. In May 2024, he fell asleep during his hush money trial. He has also confused Joe Biden with Barack Obama, former Republican opponent Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi, and the presidents of Hungary and Turkey. Trump attributes his recurring bruising to taking 325mg of aspirin daily to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
For UK readers, the health of the US president matters because American foreign policy decisions — from trade deals to military commitments — directly affect the UK. Trump's mental and physical state could influence his handling of crises, such as the ongoing Iran conflict described by UnHerd, where analysts note the US is 'no longer willing to sacrifice soldiers'. A perceived decline could also shift how allies and adversaries negotiate with Washington.
Q: Is Donald Trump in good health? The White House says yes, citing a May 2026 check-up at Walter Reed that found him 'fully fit'. Trump himself claims perfect scores on cognitive tests. However, his niece and critics point to visible signs like bruising, swelling, and a neck rash, as well as public gaffes and nodding off during events.
Q: What health issues has Donald Trump had recently? Swollen ankles, bruised hands, a neck rash, and fatigue in public settings. He has made three hospital visits in 13 months. He takes 325mg of aspirin daily for heart attack prevention. Cognitive lapses include confusing world leaders' names.
Q: What is the Montreal Cognitive Assessment? A 30-point screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment. Trump claims a perfect score of 30/30 on it, but it is not a definitive measure of overall brain health and is rarely used to assess high-level executive function.
What happens next? Trump's health will continue to be a subject of debate, especially as the 2028 election approaches. The White House has provided no further medical updates beyond the May 2026 check-up. Mary Trump has pledged to keep publishing her observations, and media scrutiny of any public slip-ups will persist.