Trump Reportedly Fears Facing Dementia Like His Father
Donald Trump is said to be deeply troubled by the possibility of experiencing the same cognitive decline that claimed his father, Fred Trump, who passed away in 1999 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. According to Timothy L. O’Brien, senior editor at Bloomberg Opinion, Trump’s push for a third presidential term — something the U.S. Constitution doesn’t allow — may be driven less by realistic politics and more by a need for self-preservation and personal relevance.
At 78, nearing 79, Trump’s appearance and health have become talking points for those close to him. O’Brien noted on MSNBC that the fear of mental decline weighs heavily on the former president, who remembers how his father continued working long after his dementia diagnosis in 1991, right up until his final hospitalization.
Although Trump rarely voices these worries publicly — especially given how often he has criticized Joe Biden’s cognitive abilities — those around him have observed subtle changes. Friends and observers cite his altered speech patterns, slower posture, and a noticeable lack of the energy he once carried. O’Brien argued that Trump’s motivation to remain in politics seems tied less to passion for the presidency and more to staying in the public eye and shielding himself from legal challenges.
Adding to these concerns, Trump’s cousin Fred C. Trump III told People magazine that he sees worrying similarities between Donald Trump’s current state and the decline their grandfather went through. “Anyone who says dementia isn’t in the Trump family is denying reality,” he said.
As speculation continues about Trump’s political ambitions, many believe his greatest obstacle may not be court cases or election laws — but the health issues that quietly shadow his future.