Trump slams New York Times 'hit piece' questioning his stamina and workload

WASHINGTON, DC: Donald Trump began his day with a forceful denunciation of The New York Times, accusing the newspaper of deliberately publishing a “hit piece” questioning his stamina and capacity to maintain a full presidential workload. 

The report, published on Tuesday, November 25, scrutinized signs of the 79-year-old president’s increasing fatigue, including shorter days at the White House and moments where he appeared visibly tired during public events.

President defends his record and calls NYT 'enemy of the people'

According to the report, Trump was seen less frequently in public during his second term, and at times has shown what aides privately describe as “wear.”

The piece noted that he remained a dominant public figure compared to some predecessors, but that his schedule has tightened and his appearances have grown more selective. Trump immediately rejected the story’s premise, calling the Times a “cheap rag” intent on portraying him negatively.

In an extended Truth Social post, Trump unleashed a sweeping defense of his presidency and his personal vigor.

He recited what he claimed were his major achievements, including “winning the 2024 election in a landslide,” settling “8 wars,” overseeing “48 new stock market highs,” and restoring America’s global standing.

He accused the NYT of being filled with “Radical Left Lunatics,” repeatedly labeling the paper “an Enemy of the People.”

Trump claimed the publication routinely got facts wrong, “including election results,” and claimed that its reporters are assigned to cover him in a uniformly negative light.

The president singled out Katie Rogers, one of the article’s co-authors and a longtime White House correspondent, using sharp personal insults directed at her appearance and professional credibility.

Rogers wrote the story alongside Dylan Freedman, the Times’ AI projects editor. The newspaper did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Trump’s remarks.

Trump touts ‘perfect’ exam and cognitive test

One of the central claims of the NYT article, that Trump’s energy levels have waned, drew a particularly forceful rebuttal from the president.

Trump insisted that he remained in “very strong” physical and cognitive condition, crediting what he described as a recent “PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM” and an “aced” comprehensive cognitive test.

“There will be a day when I run low on Energy… but it certainly is not now!” Trump wrote. He added that directing efforts to lower inflation, bring down grocery prices and oversee new investments requires intense daily effort, which he said explains why he is “working harder than ever.”

The article also cited several specific instances where Trump appeared fatigued, including an Oval Office press conference on weight-loss drugs on November 6. According to the report, Trump’s eyelids “drooped until his eyes were almost closed,” and he seemed to drift in and out of alertness for several seconds.

A long history of Trump’s attacks on the press

The exchange reflected a pattern that had persisted throughout Trump’s political career.

Over the past decade, Trump has posted nearly 3,500 messages attacking the media across his social accounts, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Freedom of the Press Foundation, averaging almost one per day.

The president’s frequent confrontations with the press had almost become a cornerstone of his political identity, and his clashes with the NYT in particular have been among the most intense.

Report highlights shrinking public schedule and age issues

The outlet noted that while Trump remained highly visible and frequently engaged with reporters compared to former President Joe Biden, the public sees less of him overall than during his first term.

Nearly a year into his second term, the paper said, Trump “keeps a shorter public schedule than he used to,” and attributed some changes to his age.