Investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has published an article on his Substack alleging that U.S. President Donald Trump is showing signs of cognitive decline, citing accounts from current White House insiders.
According to Hersh’s report, several officials within the administration have expressed growing concern that President Trump has become “less sharp” and “increasingly erratic” in both private meetings and public appearances. Sources described instances where the president appeared distracted, struggled to maintain focus during high-level discussions, and delivered remarks that seemed disconnected or incoherent.
The report highlights Trump’s September 30 address to senior U.S. military leadership, which Hersh’s sources characterized as one of his most disorganized public moments since returning to office. During the meeting, Trump reportedly delivered a lengthy and unfocused speech that confused both his aides and attendees, sparking renewed internal discussion about his mental acuity.
A key point emphasized in Hersh’s piece was that several aides believe Trump has lost his once-notable ability to “read the room.” They described him as less able to gauge audience reactions or adjust his tone accordingly—an ability that had previously been a central part of his political style and campaign success.
Trump, now 79, has faced some public scrutiny regarding his cognitive health since leaving office in 2021. Observers have pointed to a number of incidents in which he appeared fatigued, confused, or prone to tangents during speeches and interviews. At a rally in Pennsylvania in October 2024, for example, Trump went on extended rants about golf and the film character Hannibal Lecter, leaving some attendees puzzled.
A recent YouGov poll indicated that 49 percent of respondents believe President Trump shows at least some signs of cognitive decline.
Hersh’s allegations come amid lingering national debate over the mental fitness of political leaders. The topic gained traction following revelations about former President Joe Biden’s cognitive health, which deteriorated before and during his time in office.
Trump, who returned to the presidency in January at age 78, was the same age Biden was when he took office in 2021, drawing renewed attention to concerns about the advanced age of American political leaders. The United States has not elected a president or major-party candidate born after 1948 with the exception of Barack Obama, reflecting a broader trend of aging leadership across Washington.