Psychologist and author Mary Trump has warned that President Donald Trump's declining mental and physical state is revealing "more of who he has always been," as his talk of restarting war with Iran becomes increasingly "unhinged."
Striking Similarities to Alzheimer's Progression
Speaking on a podcast with former CNN White House correspondent Jessica Yellin, Mary Trump pointed to "striking similarities" between her grandfather Fred Trump's behavior as his Alzheimer's progressed and her uncle's current actions. She said Donald Trump's increasingly violent language and knee-jerk actions represent a "frightening reality," adding that people are exploiting his impulsivity to "build the country they want."
"We've heard former supporters, including people like Marjorie Taylor Greene, say that Donald isn't the same man they once knew. The truth is almost the opposite," Mary Trump said. "Because of his cognitive and psychological decline, we're actually seeing more of who he has always been. He's simply no longer capable of hiding it as effectively as he once could."
Iran Conflict and Unhinged Rhetoric
Mary Trump expressed alarm about her uncle's rhetoric on Iran, calling him "completely unhinged." US forces continued overnight strikes on Iranian targets, while Iran launched attacks on targets in the Gulf, including Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai. Hostilities resumed after stalled talks, with Trump claiming his forces forcibly reopened the Strait of Hormuz and announcing the US would charge tolls for passing vessels. Explosions have been reported on shipping in the strait.
Enablers and True Believers
Despite Trump's increasingly erratic actions, Mary Trump said he continues to be enabled by his cronies, having surrounded himself with a core of "true believers" who may be willing to go further to "build exactly the country they want." She warned: "Those groups present different dangers, but together they've made Donald far more powerful than he ever could have become alone."
