A fleeting moment during a lavish welcome ceremony in Saudi Arabia on May 13, 2025, has reignited debates about President Donald Trump’s mental and physical health. A viral video captured the 78-year-old president briefly closing his eyes while seated in a gold chair, prompting speculation that he was dozing off. Critics, including journalist Aaron Rupar, who posted on X that “Trump is having a hard time keeping his eyes open,” seized on the clip, with headlines like “Sleepy Trump Caught on Camera Nodding Off at Summit in Saudi” from The Daily Beast echoing the “Sleepy Joe” moniker once aimed at Joe Biden.
But is this moment evidence of cognitive decline, or simply the toll of a grueling international trip? Let’s unpack the footage, the claims, and the broader context to separate fact from speculation.
The Saudi Arabia Incident: What Happened?
On May 13, Trump attended a high-profile ceremony in Riyadh after a 15-hour flight on Air Force One. In the widely shared video, he appears to close his eyes for a few seconds before responding to someone addressing him. Another image from a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Syrian ministers showed him slouched, chin to chest. Critics argue these moments reflect a pattern of mental or physical decline, while supporters attribute them to jet lag and a demanding schedule.
Trump’s itinerary was indeed packed. He delivered a speech in Riyadh, met with regional leaders, and signed a $107 billion arms deal. By May 14, he was in Qatar addressing U.S. troops at Al Udeid Air Base, and on May 15, he arrived in the United Arab Emirates. Insiders told The Daily Mail that Trump’s stamina “exhausts staffers one-third his age,” emphasizing his active leadership in securing “trillions in investments” and peace deals.
Claims of Cognitive Decline: Dementia or Speculation?
Critics have pointed to the Saudi footage as part of a broader narrative questioning Trump’s mental fitness, with some alleging early-stage dementia. MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell speculated about “mental illness” or “early-stage dementia,” while Bloomberg Opinion’s Timothy L. O’Brien noted Trump “slurs his words a little, he looks weary, he is slouched,” suggesting a decline from his first term. O’Brien tied these observations to Trump’s family history, noting that his father, Fred Trump, died in 1999 at 93 with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition with a hereditary component. Trump’s nephew, Fred Trump III, told People in 2024 that he sees parallels between Trump’s behavior and his grandfather’s decline.
Mental health professionals have also weighed in, though their claims are controversial. Dr. Lance Dodes, a retired Harvard professor, told Newsweek in March 2024 that Trump shows “overwhelming” signs of dementia, citing “confusion about reality” like mixing up Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Dr. John Gartner, founder of Duty to Warn, has claimed Trump exhibits “phonemic paraphasias” (e.g., saying “mishuz” for “missile”) and disorganized speech, which he argues are hallmarks of dementia, not normal aging. A petition by Gartner, signed by nearly 3,000 clinicians, asserts “probable dementia.” Dr. Elisabeth Zoffmann, a forensic psychiatrist, suggested in a 2024 Salon interview that Trump may have Behavioral Variant Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD), pointing to changes in gait and speech.
However, these diagnoses violate the Goldwater Rule, an American Psychiatric Association guideline discouraging mental health professionals from diagnosing public figures without direct examination. The Alzheimer’s Society has criticized such speculation, noting that terms like “demented” or “senile” are outdated and stigmatizing. Without formal testing, these claims remain speculative and ethically contentious.
Counterarguments: Trump’s Health and Performance
Trump’s supporters and official reports paint a different picture. A White House medical assessment released on April 13, 2025, conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, declared Trump in “excellent health” and “fully fit” to serve, with a perfect 30/30 score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). The report noted a weight of 224 pounds (down 20 pounds, moving from obese to overweight), a height of 6’3”, and improved LDL cholesterol levels. It also mentioned scarring from a July 2024 assassination attempt and prior cataract surgery. Trump himself told reporters, “I got every answer right” on the cognitive test, adding, “I felt I was in very good shape.”
Supporters argue that Trump’s rigorous schedule—speaking for over an hour in Riyadh, engaging with media impromptu, and leading complex negotiations—demonstrates mental sharpness. An insider told The Daily Mail that allegations of decline are “false smears” driven by “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” contrasting Trump’s energy with Biden’s limited public appearances. A May 2025 X post by @BoLoudon claimed Trump has “the blood pressure and resting heart rate of a healthy 25-year-old,” though this lacks independent verification.
Critics of the MoCA, however, note its simplicity. Designed to screen for mild cognitive impairment, it includes tasks like naming animals or recalling five words, which may not detect nuanced issues like FTD. Trump’s 2018 MoCA score of 30/30 was publicized, but raw data were never released, and his repeated mention of “person, woman, man, camera, TV” in 2020 interviews drew mockery for oversimplifying the test’s rigor.
Comparing to Biden: A Double Standard?
The post draws parallels to scrutiny of Joe Biden’s cognitive health, citing Original Sin by Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson, which alleges a White House cover-up of Biden’s decline. The book claims Biden failed to recognize George Clooney at a 2024 fundraiser and relied on “jump cuts” in videos to mask stuttering. These anecdotes fueled perceptions of Biden’s frailty, yet similar scrutiny of Trump has been less consistent, raising questions of media bias. A 2020 New York Times article questioned Trump’s “halting walk” down a ramp, while a 2021 piece framed Biden’s stumbles as “misleading” exaggerations. Democratic strategist Max Burns argued in The Hill that “the American people deserve to know if their president is mentally up for the job,” urging Trump to take a public cognitive exam.
Critical Analysis: What’s the Truth?
The Saudi Arabia footage, while striking, is ambiguous. Closing one’s eyes briefly after a long flight could reflect fatigue, not dementia. Slouching or word-slurring may suggest aging or stress rather than a diagnosable condition. Trump’s family history of Alzheimer’s increases his risk—studies show a 10–30% higher likelihood if a parent had the disease—but risk isn’t evidence. His reported speech issues, like phonemic paraphasias, are concerning if consistent, but public settings like rallies aren’t controlled environments for diagnosis.
The White House’s April 2025 report offers reassurance but lacks transparency. Unlike Kamala Harris, who released detailed medical records in 2024, Trump hasn’t shared a full report since 2015, fueling skepticism. Past assessments, like those by Dr. Ronny Jackson, have been criticized for overly positive framing, and the MoCA’s limitations undermine its conclusiveness. Conversely, Trump’s ability to maintain a demanding schedule suggests functional capacity, though stamina alone doesn’t rule out cognitive issues.
Speculation about dementia often reflects political motives. Critics like Gartner and Dodes, who contributed to The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump (2017), have faced accusations of bias, as their claims align with anti-Trump narratives. Supporters’ dismissal of concerns as “Trump Derangement Syndrome” similarly polarizes the debate. A June 2024 News/YouGov survey found 25% of Americans doubted either candidate’s mental fitness, indicating public concern but not consensus.
What Should Happen Next?
Transparency is key to resolving doubts. Trump could release detailed medical records or undergo an independent, comprehensive cognitive evaluation, as Burns suggested. Voters deserve clarity, especially given the presidency’s demands. However, the Goldwater Rule reminds us that remote diagnoses are unreliable and potentially harmful. Media outlets should focus on verifiable evidence—speech patterns, medical disclosures, or performance metrics—rather than sensational clips.
For readers, here’s how to stay informed:
- Check Primary Sources: Review official medical reports or direct footage rather than relying on headlines.
- Understand Dementia: Learn about signs like memory loss or personality changes via resources like the Alzheimer’s Association.
- Demand Transparency: Support calls for candidates to release full health records, a standard practice.
- Stay Skeptical: Question both critics’ alarmism and supporters’ dismissals, focusing on facts.
The Saudi Arabia video may spark debate, but it’s not definitive proof of decline. Trump’s health, like any president’s, warrants scrutiny—but speculation must yield to evidence.
What do you think about the footage? Share your thoughts or questions about presidential health transparency in the comments!
