Staff working for President Donald Trump have reportedly been compelled to adopt a significant change in their conduct during meetings, speaking at a higher volume to accommodate the leader's apparent hearing difficulties. This adjustment comes amid persistent and growing speculation regarding the 79-year-old President's physical and cognitive health.
Mounting Health Speculation
Since assuming office, questions have swirled about whether Donald Trump is physically capable of completing his term, or even lasting a full year in the demanding role. These doubts persist despite his physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, providing a clean bill of health. Unverified allegations, which the White House has strongly denied, suggest the President uses a catheter and may be suffering from dementia.
Observers have pointed to several visible signs that have fuelled the rumours. These include noticeable bruising on Trump's hands, which Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attributed to excessive handshaking, apparent fatigue during some White House meetings, and occasional difficulty hearing.
The "Louder" Directive and Public Denials
In response to the hearing issues, the Wall Street Journal reported that his "aides, donors and friends" have started speaking louder in meetings to ensure the President can hear them clearly. This reported change in protocol highlights the private adaptations being made around him.
Trump addressed these claims sarcastically at a recent press conference, repeatedly stating, "I can't hear you. I can't hear you. I can't hear a word you're saying." He later sought to clarify, explaining he only struggles to hear "when there's a lot of people talking."
Experts Weigh In on Cognitive Concerns
Beyond the hearing speculation, some commentators have proposed more serious theories about Trump's condition. On the 'Inside Trump's Head' podcast, biographer Michael Wolff discussed a remark from White House chief of staff Susie Wiles to Vanity Fair that Trump possessed an "alcoholic's personality." Wolff suggested a different interpretation.
He claimed, "Susie Wiles might just as well have said that it's like dealing with a dementia patient. The uninhibited aspects of his personality - anger, self-pity...become increasingly more uninhibited." Wolff drew a parallel to the scrutiny faced by President Joe Biden, noting that in both cases, there is no objective mechanism for a public diagnosis, and those close to the leader often close ranks.
Wolff explained, "Clearly, Joe Biden had enormous cognitive difficulties. Everyone around him closed ranks to protect him. This is not different now for Donald Trump. There is no way for us to say 'he is experiencing cognitive issues of an alarming variety.'" The ongoing debate ensures that the President's health will remain a dominant topic in the political discourse.
