Former White House Associate: Trump’s Mental State is Now ‘Declining’

Recent discussions about former President Donald Trump’s mental health have gained traction, particularly following claims made by Lev Parnas, a former associate of Trump.

Parnas, who worked with Trump’s team on behind-the-scenes matters during his first term, suggested that Trump is showing signs of mental decline, citing specific incidents such as Trump’s attacks on his own supporters and factual inaccuracies in public statements.

Lev Parnas, a Soviet-born businessman previously involved in Trump’s first impeachment proceedings, has recently used platforms like Substack to voice concerns about Trump’s mental state.

In his July 2025 post, Parnas described Trump as “unraveling,” pointing to a Truth Social post where Trump allegedly criticized his MAGA base, calling it a “big mistake.”

Parnas argued that this behavior, combined with Trump’s erroneous claim that President Joe Biden was responsible for nominating Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell—a position Trump himself appointed Powell to in 2017—indicates ‘cognitive decline’.

Parnas further referenced a Quinnipiac poll, suggesting that Trump’s supporters are growing weary of his inconsistencies.

Parnas’s history, however, complicates his credibility for some.

Sentenced in 2022 to 22 months in prison for fraud and campaign finance violations, Parnas’s past includes controversial actions, such as assisting Rudy Giuliani in seeking compromising information on Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, in Ukraine.

According to Raw Story, his claims, while provocative, lack corroboration from primary sources within Trump’s current campaign team and rely heavily on his personal observations and interpretations.

Expert Opinions on Trump’s Cognitive Health

Concerns about Trump’s mental acuity are not new.

Since his 2016 campaign, mental health professionals and commentators have debated his cognitive fitness, often citing his age (Trump is 79 as of July 2025) and public behavior.

A 2017 book, The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump, edited by Bandy X. Lee, featured 27 psychiatrists and mental health experts who raised concerns about Trump’s mental state, though such remote diagnoses violate the American Psychiatric Association’s Goldwater Rule, which prohibits diagnosing public figures without direct examination.

More recently, experts like Dr. John Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins University psychologist, have pointed to Trump’s speech patterns as potential indicators of cognitive decline.

In a 2025 interview with MindSite News, Gartner noted that Trump’s speech has become less coherent compared to his more articulate communication in the 1980s, citing examples of “phonemic paraphasias” (e.g., saying “mishiz” for “missiles”) and “semantic paraphasias” (e.g., using “oranges” instead of “origins”).

Gartner’s petition, signed by over 3,000 mental health professionals, argues that Trump shows signs consistent with dementia, though he acknowledges that a formal diagnosis requires direct assessment.

Similarly, Dr. Ben Michaelis, a clinical psychologist, told PBS News in October 2024 that Trump’s rambling speeches and incoherent remarks, such as his unexplained references to “eight circles” or prolonged swaying to music at a rally, could suggest cognitive impairment.

However, Michaelis emphasized that age-related decline is common at 78 and cautioned against making a definitive diagnosis without formal evaluation.

Counterarguments and Trump’s Defense

Trump has consistently dismissed concerns about his mental health.

In 2018, he described himself as a “very stable genius,” citing his business success and electoral victories as evidence of his cognitive fitness.

A January 2018 medical examination by White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson reported Trump to be in “excellent health,” though his weight and cholesterol levels were noted as areas of concern.

Trump’s campaign has not released detailed medical records since, which has fueled speculation but also aligns with his longstanding reluctance to disclose personal health information.

Supporters argue that Trump’s unorthodox communication style—often described as brash and improvisational—is consistent with his lifelong persona as an entertainer and not indicative of decline.

They point to his active campaign schedule and public appearances as evidence of his stamina.

For instance, Stephen Miller, a former Trump aide, described a 2024 press conference as a “master class performance,” countering Parnas’s claims of mental deterioration.

Trump Media Coverage and Public Perception

The media’s role in covering Trump’s mental health has sparked debate.

Some critics, like conservative commentator Charlie Sykes, have accused outlets of underreporting Trump’s “gibbering nonsense,” such as his false claim of winning a nonexistent “Man of the Year” award in Michigan.

Sykes contrasted this with the intense scrutiny of President Joe Biden’s age-related gaffes before Biden withdrew from the 2024 race.

Others, however, argue that the media risks “sanewashing” Trump by selectively highlighting coherent moments, potentially downplaying erratic behavior.

Public opinion reflects mixed views.

A July 2024 poll cited by Wikipedia showed growing concern among Americans about Trump’s fitness for a second term, with 58% of voters, including 61% of Trump supporters, believing law enforcement may be withholding information about powerful figures linked to Jeffrey Epstein—a topic Parnas also referenced in relation to Trump’s mental state.

However, Trump’s base remains loyal, with many dismissing cognitive concerns as politically motivated attacks.

While Parnas’s claims and expert observations raise valid questions, they are not conclusive.

Cognitive decline is a natural part of aging, as noted by Boston University neurologist Dr. Andrew Budson, who explained that older adults often struggle with new information but excel at synthesizing prior knowledge.

Trump’s factual inaccuracies, such as confusing Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi in 2024, could reflect normal aging rather than dementia, though persistent errors warrant scrutiny.

Family history adds another layer.

Trump’s father, Fred Trump, was diagnosed with dementia, increasing Trump’s genetic risk, though this alone is not diagnostic.

Without a formal medical evaluation, claims of dementia remain speculative, and the absence of recent medical disclosures limits definitive conclusions.

Also Read: MAGA Now Scrutinize Trump Over Epstein Client List Failure

Visit the Homepage for our extensive library of news, or read news for you below.

---

News You Might Like

---

About The Author