Donald Trump’s increasingly strange behaviour in public has once again raised questions about his mental acuity, experts say. The president, 79, has exhibited odd conduct at campaign events, in interviews and during cabinet meetings, often drifting off topic and misremembering simple facts about his government and his life.
Unlike Joe Biden, who faced intense scrutiny over his age-related gaffes—ultimately leading to his withdrawal from the 2024 election—Trump has largely been spared such examination. However, his recent trip to the UK showcased several bizarre moments, including an unprompted rant about windmills during a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
At the meeting, Trump abruptly switched from immigration to attacking wind turbines, claiming without evidence that they drive whales “loco” and kill birds. Harry Segal, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University, described this as “digressing without thinking—he’ll just switch topics without self-regulation”.
Another concerning trait is confabulation, Segal added. In mid-July, Trump claimed his uncle, John Trump, had taught the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, at MIT—a statement with no factual basis. More recently, Trump asserted that the US had given $60m to Gaza two weeks ago, forgetting contributions from other countries, and could not verify the donation.
Democrats, including Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett and California Governor Gavin Newsom, have begun more aggressively questioning Trump’s fitness. The White House did not respond to requests for comment on Trump’s claimed Gaza aid.
