TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - As 79-year-old Donald Trump enters his second year of US presidency, questions about his physical and cognitive health have become a recurring topic amid viral images, challenging responses from the White House, and a lack of medical transparency.
Debates surrounding the one-year mark of Trump's administration on Tuesday echoed previous controversies regarding the health of US leaders, and raised uncomfortable questions about transparency and power.
It took just a few minutes of footage to reignite the debate. During the 9/11 remembrance in September, cameras captured what appeared to be a clear droop on the right side of Trump's face.
The images quickly went viral.
"So this guy like 100% had a stroke, right?" wrote podcaster Jeremy Kaplowitz on X the same day, a post that was later gained over 272,000 likes, as reported by France24.
The White House did not immediately comment.
However, on January 15, the Daily Beast reported a theory from Professor Bruce Davidson of the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, indicating a medical event "six months ago or more, earlier in 2025." Davidson also noted that Trump had started dragging his leg while walking and was "garbling" his words.
Washington quickly refuted, dismissing the report as "BS fake news story."
Life Under Close Surveillance
Since returning to the Oval Office, Trump's public appearances have been dissected to stoke numerous rumors about his declining health.
The White House sometimes provided somewhat unexpected explanations. The bruise on his hand during the February meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron was attributed to the fact that he was "constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day," said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
When images showed Trump with a swollen ankle and having difficulty walking steadily, Leavitt said the president was suffering from "chronic venous insufficiency," adding that there was "no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease."
But unlike previous presidents, there was no complete medical record release.
Trump's lifestyle has also come under scrutiny.
He has long disregarded the value of exercise and openly indulged in fast food. Upon returning to the Oval Office after his inauguration, he quickly reinstated his famous Diet Coke button—a red button on his desk that summons staff to deliver his favorite soda—reflecting arrangements from his first term.
Suspicions Turning into Confrontations
Trump's family history—his father Fred died after suffering from Alzheimer's disease—was frequently cited by critics, including his niece, psychologist Mary Trump.
But doctors warn against drawing simplistic conclusions loosely based on genetics. The Alzheimer's Association noted that while family history can influence risk levels, lifestyle factors play a crucial role.
To quell questions about his mental fitness, Trump repeatedly boasted that he "aced" several cognitive tests, claiming a "perfect" score not only as evidence of his fitness for office but also as a testament to his remarkable sharpness.
The US President even stated in December that he was "sharper than 25 years ago"—in response to a New York Times article about how he seemed to be slowing down—before appearing to doze off in a cabinet meeting.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, taken by Trump in 2018 and subsequently twice in 2025, is a screening tool rather than a diagnostic test, with limited scope. "Any adolescent could easily pass it," said emeritus political scientist Denis Lacorne, who has been following US presidents since the 1960s.
“Constantly invoking it is anything but reassuring.”
Top-Level Secrecy
"We just went through this with President Biden," said presidential historian Barbara Perry.
“Presidents can decline very quickly. Some draw energy from crowds and public appearances, which can mask fatigue or deterioration,” said Perry. Hence, Trump fits the long American tradition.
The high-pressure nature of the job also plays a role. “The presidency makes you age faster," said Olivier Richomme, a political scientist at the University of Lyon 2. “It’s not a job designed for someone close to 80.”
“With Trump,” he adds, “there is also a culture of loyalty and courtisanship that prevents honest discussion.”
Deferred Questions
Trump's frequent dozing off and tendency to veer off into sometimes odd topics have long sparked criticism.
His supporters cite his busy schedule, frequent rallies, and constant media exposure as proof of his stamina.
“They refuse to see it, while those who oppose him can only see the opposite,” said Richomme. Trump's impulsive rhetoric and erratic policy signals make questions about his health unavoidable.
Within the Republican Party, and ahead of midterm elections that could hand a big win to the Democratic Party, this topic remains taboo.
“The danger isn’t only decline,” Perry cautioned. “It’s decline combined with secrecy, loyalists and the absence of independent advisers.”
Like some previous presidents, the full truth about Trump's health may only be revealed after his term has ended.
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