President Trump struggles to recall ‘Alzheimer’s’ while discussing father’s illness

Washington: A fresh debate over Donald Trump’s health and mental sharpness has been reignited after the US President appeared to struggle to recall the word "Alzheimer’s" while speaking about his late father’s illness recently.

In an interview with New York Magazine, the 79-year-old paused mid-sentence when referring to Fred Trump’s condition, momentarily forgetting the term before insisting that his own health was “perfect”. Gesturing towards his forehead, he asked, “At a certain age, about 86, 87, he started getting, what do they call it?” He then looked to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for assistance, who then named the disease for him.

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Trump emphasised that he does not suffer from the disease, which impairs memory and thinking skills, and dismissed concerns about his wellbeing. His son Eric later told the magazine that his father is “superstitious” and prefers not to dwell on death, adding, “He likes occupying his mind with what’s in the present and not as much with what’s in the future… He believes, and so do I, he has a lot of years left.”

Trump dismisses rumours of ill-health despite media  scrutiny

Despite these assurances, speculation about Trump’s health has reportedly intensified online, with self-styled “armchair physicians” predicting he has only months to live, following a series of physical observations that have raised questions about his condition.

In late 2025, Trump told reporters he had undergone a “perfect” MRI scan, only to later admit he had “no idea” which part of his body had been examined. His physician subsequently clarified that the test was in fact a CT scan of his chest and abdomen.

Last year, the White House attributed frequent bruising on the back of Trump’s hands to “frequent handshaking” and his daily use of high-dose aspirin. He has also been seen with swollen ankles, a symptom of venous insufficiency, where leg veins struggle to return blood to the heart. 

Trump has revealed he takes 325 mg of aspirin daily – a dose significantly higher than the 81 mg typically recommended for heart health – despite his doctors advising him to reduce it.

The President was also spotted stumbling while boarding Air Force One.

He has also denied reports that he falls asleep during Cabinet meetings, insisting he is merely “resting his eyes” or that cameras catch him “blinking”.

The President, who will celebrate his 80th birthday on June 14, is the oldest person to serve a second term in the Oval office.