Fact Check: Trump is suffering from Frontotemporal dementia.

Fact Check: "Trump is suffering from Frontotemporal dementia."

What We Know

Concerns regarding Donald Trump's cognitive health have been raised by various experts, particularly psychologist Dr. John Gartner. He has suggested that Trump may be exhibiting signs of early-stage dementia, specifically frontotemporal dementia. Gartner highlighted four key symptoms he believes indicate this condition: a noticeable decline in physical coordination, an unusual walking pattern, and episodes of stumbling or falling. He noted that Trump's gait appears to have changed, with a "leg swing" that some neurologists have identified as diagnostic of frontotemporal dementia (source-1, source-4).

Despite these observations, an official memo from White House doctors in April 2025 declared Trump to be in "excellent health," scoring a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a test commonly used to detect cognitive decline (source-2, source-3).

Analysis

Dr. Gartner's claims are based on observable behaviors and changes in Trump's physical condition. His observations include Trump's slowing down physically, difficulties with stairs, and a peculiar walking pattern that he describes as a "leg swing." Gartner's expertise lends some credibility to his assessments, but it is important to note that he is not Trump's personal physician and his conclusions are based on interpretations of public appearances rather than clinical evaluations.

The reliability of Gartner's claims is mixed. While he is a psychologist with a background in studying presidential behavior, the absence of a formal diagnosis from a medical professional who has examined Trump raises questions about the validity of his assertions. Furthermore, the official medical assessments from Trump's doctors contradict Gartner's claims, stating that he is in excellent health and showing no signs of cognitive decline (source-5, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump is suffering from Frontotemporal dementia" is Partially True. While there are observations made by Dr. Gartner that suggest potential cognitive decline, these observations are not substantiated by formal medical evaluations. The conflicting reports from healthcare professionals who have assessed Trump indicate he is currently in good health. Therefore, while there are concerns raised by experts, they do not equate to a confirmed diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia.