Trump could be showing signs of cognitive decline and may not last his full term, claims GOP advisor

Rick Wilson warned that some experts are suggesting Donald Trump may be in the early stages of dementia, despite the White House physician saying otherwise
PUBLISHED JUN 4, 2025
A Republican advisor claimed that President Donald Trump could be showing signs of cognitive decline and may not last his entire presidential term (Getty Images)
A Republican advisor claimed that President Donald Trump could be showing signs of cognitive decline and may not last his entire presidential term (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: Republican political advisor Rick Wilson has warned that President Donald Trump may not last his White House term, and claimed that the POTUS could be showing signs of cognitive decline.

The political strategist warned that some experts are suggesting Trump may be in the early stages of dementia despite the White House physician saying he was in “excellent cognitive and physical health” in April, the Irish Star reported. 

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)

GOP advisor claims may not last four years due to cognitive decline

Rick Wilson spoke to Times Radio and claimed that Donald Trump’s decline was evident not just when compared to 2015, but to 2024, and his run for a second presidential term.

"He is incoherent. His inability to articulate any thought or position without constant asides, constant lapses, the verbal aphasias he is experiencing at various points," he told Times Radio.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Rick continued, "As a very close observer of Trump since 2015, I can tell you the man you’re watching today is not the Trump of 2015, nor is he the Trump of 2020, he’s not even the Trump of 2024."

"There is a decline in Trump’s ability to communicate, there is a decline in Trump’s ability to articulate his thoughts. This is not uncommon when people get older," he added.

Moreover, Rick said that it wasn’t just him who was concerned about Trump’s neurological condition, as other experts told him they believed the POTUS could, without any proof, have developed dementia.

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 30: U.S. President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Musk, who served as an adviser to Trump and led the Department of Government Efficiency, announced he would leave the Trump administration to refocus on his businesses. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump, joined by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, speaks to reporters in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025, in Washington, DC (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

"There are an awful lot of professionals in the world who are looking at the same set of behaviours and saying ‘This is what we see in early dementia cases’… this is what we see when there is a cognitive decline," Rick said.

He added, "Just circling the elephant on the cognitive test does not make Donald Trump not suffering from the ravages of age and ill health."

Interestingly, Trump’s health has been called into question earlier as well, as experts warned earlier in 2025 about his weight loss and what may have caused it.

Meanwhile, his doctor Sean Barbabella said in a memo, "President Trump remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function."

Speech expert claims Donald Trump shows signs of ‘cognitive decline’

Top rhetoric expert, Dr Jennifer R Mercieca, professor of Communication and Journalism at Texas A&M University, claimed that Trump’s recent rambling speeches and stream-of-consciousness press briefings could be signs of his "cognitive decline."

She told The Daily Beast, "His lack of focus makes it seem as though he’s experiencing cognitive decline, that his brain is not well-disciplined, and he’s unable to maintain a thought and carry it through to a logical conclusion."

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: U.S. President Donald Trump attends the Super Bowl LIX Pregame at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
President Donald Trump attends the Super Bowl LIX Pregame at Caesars Superdome on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

Meanwhile, she added that while she is not a speech pathologist or an expert on aging, she knows how an audience could easily become confused by the way he talks, per the outlet.

She said, "Trump sees himself as someone who is unscripted and not teleprompter. He likes to brand himself as a ‘truthteller’ who can and will say anything that comes to mind."

"Unfortunately, that makes his speeches difficult to follow as he digresses from thought to thought—seemingly connecting ideas at random," the doctor added.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Candace Owens made the remark in reaction to a video of Pete Hegseth narrating the sequence of events surrounding the rescue of the airman in Iran
34 minutes ago
The former New Jersey Governor also alleged that Trump thought 'he lost' and was afraid of the idea of losing.
1 hour ago
Megyn Kelly also shared her thoughts on how Bryon Noem's photo leak occurred
1 hour ago
First lady Melania stood beside Donald Trump, smiling, while a costumed Easter Bunny added to the cheerful atmosphere
2 hours ago
Katie Miller called out the 'double standards' of Iranian elites living in the US
2 hours ago
A sweeping overhaul of the White House complex, including security upgrades and a ballroom expansion, faces court scrutiny after a judge paused construction
2 hours ago
Chris Christie said he prosecuted Charles Kushner in 2005, yet Trump still asked for more information to try to break up Jared Kushner’s relationship
3 hours ago
Trump portrayed Iran’s military as severely weakened, claiming US actions had dismantled key capabilities, including its navy and air force
4 hours ago
Trump cited past exchanges with Kim Jong-un during a briefing while criticizing US allies for failing to support military operations tied to Iran
4 hours ago
The president also demanded Jessica Tarlov be taken off-air after ripping into Shannon Bream.
5 hours ago