Aging Donald Trump 'lives in fear' of developing dementia like his father Fred, claims journalist

Timothy L O'Brien said Donald Trump has always been troubled by the possibility of suffering the same cognitive decline as his father
UPDATED MAY 6, 2025
Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, died battling pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease at age 93 in 1999 (Getty Images)
Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, died battling pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease at age 93 in 1999 (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is afraid of developing dementia in his advanced age, like his late father Fred Trump, claimed Timothy L O’Brien, senior executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion, over the weekend, as per The Daily Beast.

O'Brien appeared on the second installment of 'The Weekend: Primetime' after the show's debut on MSNBC on Saturday, May 3, to discuss the 78-year-old commander-in-chief's comments about seeking a third term in the Oval Office.

U.S. President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is holding the first Cabinet meeting of his second term, joined by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on February 26, 2025, in Washington, DC (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The 22nd Amendment of the US Constitution prohibits an individual from running for Office three times under any circumstances. However, it is being speculated in political circles that the incumbent may still move to get his name on the ballot. 

Timothy L O’Brien says Donald Trump would 'like to be president for 200 more years'

According to Timothy O'Brien, Donald Trump has always been motivated by either “self-aggrandizement” or “self-preservation," and would "love to live until he’s 300.”

“And I think he’d like to be president for 200 more years if he could,” shared O'Brien, but noted that he does not believe that the incumbent will run for office again.

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - MAY 01: U.S. President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 01, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Trump will be addressing graduating students at the University of Alabama. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One at Tuscaloosa National Airport on May 1, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Commenting on the president's recent interviews, the journalist said, "One of the things that really struck me is, Donald Trump has aged. When people talk about the things that are going to get in the way of a third term for Donald Trump, obviously, it’s voters. Obviously, it’s the 22nd Amendment. But he’s turning 79 in June.”

“He lives in fear of going down the path his father went down, which was dementia, followed by Alzheimer’s, into his 90s. And I think he’s carried that burden forever,” added O'Brien. 

Donald Trump's father Fred Trump continued to show up for work despite Alzheimer's diagnosis

Donald Trump's father, Fred Trump, died of pneumonia and Alzheimer’s disease at age 93 in 1999. The real estate developer was reportedly diagnosed with dementia eight years prior to his death.

Portrait of American son and father real estate developers Donald Trump and Fred Trump (1905 - 1999) as they attend a book release party to celebrate 'Trump: The Art of the Deal' in the Trump Tower Atrium, New York, New York, December 12, 1987. (Photo by Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)
Donald Trump and Fred Trump attend a book release party to celebrate 'Trump: The Art of the Deal' at Trump Tower Atrium in New York on December 12, 1987 (Sonia Moskowitz/Getty Images)

Fred retained his title of chairman of the board of Trump Management even after the diagnosis and continued to show up for work.

“He came in the office every day until the day he went to the hospital,” recalled family friend and business associate Richard Levy after his death.

While the MAGA leader has slammed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, for his cognitive decline, O'Brien believes the incumbent is afraid he may suffer the same fate.

"Watching how he answers questions now compared to Trump 1.0, he slurs his words a little, he looks weary, he is slouched. And I don’t know how much authentic enthusiasm he has for the power and the office he holds, other than the fact that it keeps him out of jail and it keeps him center stage,” the journalist stated.

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