Psychologists claim Trump shows 'dead ringer' telltale sign of a rare disease that is 'getting worse'

WASHINGTON, DC: Concerns about Donald Trump’s health are growing louder as reports highlight his bruised hands, a swollen leg, and erratic behavior.

Two psychologists, Dr John Gartner and Dr Harry Segal, have publicly raised red flags, claiming the president is showing a “dead ringer” telltale sign of a rare brain disease.

According to them, the condition appears to be “getting worse and worse.” The doctors also expressed concern over Trump’s psychomotor function, pointing to what they say are clear indicators of early-stage dementia.

Psychologist warns Trump may show signs of rare dementia

During the latest episode of their 'Shrinking Trump' series, psychologist Dr John Gartner discussed Donald Trump’s physical and mental health.

He pointed to what he described as a noticeable decline in the president’s motor skills, a change he says aligns with the progression of dementia. “We’re seeing a deterioration in his motor performance, which also goes with dementia because with dementia there's a deterioration of all faculties, all functions.”

His remarks followed viral footage of Trump appearing to hide the back of his hand, fueling growing speculation about his overall health.

Dr Gartner emphasized that Trump’s declining motor abilities add to the already visible verbal and language dysfunctions previously noted in his public appearances.

Gartner explained, "The language and the verbal dysfunction is what we notice first and also what we notice in terms of his public behavior, but now his motor performance is starting to get worse and worse."

More specifically, Dr Gartner believes Trump may be showing early symptoms of frontotemporal dementia, a rare condition that affects behavior and speech by damaging the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. 

He shared, "One of the things that one of the neuropsychologists that we were working with last year pointed out that is almost a dead ringer telltale sign of frontotemporal dementia is something they call a wide-based gait, where you have a sort of one of your limbs, one of your legs, you kind of swing it in a semicircle."

Psychologists analyze Trump’s gait, raise concerns over motor control at Putin summit

Gartner and Segal highlighted recent footage from Donald Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin. In two clips shared during their discussion, Trump appeared to struggle walking in a straight line as he approached the Russian leader along a red carpet.

“He’s weaving all along the carpet,” Dr Gartner remarked, noting that Trump’s right foot swung outward, pushing his body to the left. “His right foot is swinging and it's pushing him to the left. So, as it's swinging, he's veering left and then he overcorrects and moves to the other side of the carpet and then it happens again.” After playing a fast-forwarded version of the clip, he added, "I mean, if they pulled you over for a DUI and you walked that line, you know, you would fail."

Dr Segal agreed, calling the motion "very odd." He explained, “Because it doesn't look like someone who's drunk, but he's drifting back and forth as if again as if he can't control one of his legs.”

To further demonstrate the issue, the psychologists replayed the footage at normal speed. Dr Gartner commented, “One step at a time, right? You can see it his sort of the leg swings and it moves him sort of one step to the side. And it was step after step after step and then he overcorrects.”

Despite mounting scrutiny, Trump has publicly insisted he remains in peak cognitive and physical condition. Following his annual physical in April, he boasted about his test results, “[I] got the highest mark.” However, both Gartner and Segal have previously noted that such cognitive tests are basic and easy to pass.

The White House physician, Dr Barbabella, offered a contrasting view, declaring, “President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."

Trump, confident in the results, concluded, “Overall, I felt I was in very good shape, a good heart, a good soul, a very good soul.”