Former President Donald Trump has recently come under renewed criticism about his mental and physical state. Back in April, Trump claimed he had taken a cognitive test and got every question right, but experts and insiders now suggest his condition may be slipping.
Clinical psychologists warn he is showing signs of serious decline, made worse by his ongoing legal losses, the shocking killing of political ally Charlie Kirk, and the never-ending controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. At 79, Trump has faced questions about his behavior for years, but those close to him now describe a man under immense pressure and possibly on the verge of breaking down.
People who work with Trump have reportedly noticed worrying changes in his behavior, pointing to sudden outbursts and unusual body language. Psychologists like Harry Segal argue that Trump’s extreme narcissism, lack of empathy, compulsive lying, and anger may no longer be explained just as a personality issue but as signs of deeper cognitive problems.
Segal and others believe Trump is beginning to show early signs of dementia, pointing to photos that highlight how much he has physically changed since 2016. They also think Trump’s obsession with the Epstein scandal is weighing heavily on him, making his decline worse.
The Epstein controversy continues to follow Trump, especially after a handwritten note allegedly from him to Epstein surfaced, which he has denied writing. Critics say the scandal is consuming him, with one Republican insider claiming it “is eating him alive” and that his angry reactions only make him look more unstable. Combined with Kirk’s killing, which has raised new concerns about Trump’s safety after two previous assassination attempts, insiders say the pressure is overwhelming him.
Observers note that Trump increasingly blames Democrats and even Barack Obama for problems tied to Epstein, despite the fact that much of the scandal played out during Trump’s presidency. Experts say this kind of blame-shifting no longer makes sense politically or cognitively and could be another sign of decline.
Trump’s legal defeats are also seen as major triggers for his instability. Recent court rulings against his tariffs and deportation plans reportedly set off furious reactions. Instead of handling setbacks professionally, Trump is described as taking them personally, as deep insults. Psychologists call these “narcissistic injuries,” and they say each loss drives him into greater rage, paranoia, and emotional instability. Some political insiders fear he is no longer able to process defeats rationally or even physically withstand the stress.
While Trump’s White House doctor recently claimed he remains in excellent health and fit to serve, experts like Segal argue the opposite, warning that his decline may soon reach a point where he can no longer function effectively as a leader.
