Donald Trump's increasingly strange public behaviour has once again raised questions about his mental acuity, experts say. The 79-year-old US president has exhibited odd conduct at campaign events, interviews and press conferences, often drifting off topic and misremembering simple facts.
During a recent trip to the UK, Trump launched into an unprompted two-minute rant about windmills, claiming without evidence that they drive whales 'loco' and kill birds. He also spent 15 minutes discussing decorating during a cabinet meeting this month.
Unlike Joe Biden, who faced intense scrutiny over his age-related gaffes before dropping out of the 2024 election race, Trump has largely avoided similar examination. However, Democrats have begun to more aggressively question his fitness, citing multiple examples of odd conduct.
When asked about the famine in Gaza, Trump claimed the US gave $60m 'two weeks ago' and that no other country contributed. In reality, the UK announced £60m in aid in July and the EU allocated €170m. The Guardian could not verify Trump's $60m claim.
Harry Segal, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University, said Trump's behaviour shows 'digressing without thinking' and confabulation, where he adds things that have not happened. A high-profile example was Trump's claim that his uncle taught the Unabomber at MIT.
