Donald Trump, the former president, turns 79 in just a few months. Just recently, though, he has come under increasing scrutiny over his mental fitness thanks to a string of bizarre speeches and statements that have turned heads. At a recent Florida ballroom event, Trump opened by giving thanks for his good fortune. Then, he proceeded to tell us a completely off-the-wall tale about his dead uncle supposedly running into the Unabomber. This unlikely narrative is just the latest in an odd series of story turns that have typified Trump’s public outings these past few months.
At a roundtable discussion on immigration in July, Trump made an unusual remark: “I like this hair lace and – I like that hair nice and wet.” His inappropriate comments were unacceptable and drew widespread condemnation. He further sabotaged a cabinet meeting by talking for 13 minutes about the decor of the room. Artists and critics have decried this troubling trend toward unpredictability. This begs the question of whether or not he is fit to lead.
Democratic Congresswoman Madeleine Dean recently confronted Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson about Trump’s health, stating, “The president is unhinged. He is unwell.” This counterargument has mirrored arguments made by critics of Trump’s mental fitness. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker remarked, “There is something genuinely wrong with this man,” highlighting a growing bipartisan concern.
In 2021, 57 out of 100 senators voted to impeach Trump, underscoring the apprehension surrounding his conduct while in office. Meanwhile, his presidency has not ended, as the former president continues to make headlines. His supporters are adamant that he remains a powerful force in American politics. In several respects, critics contend, his comments and conduct point to a much deeper drop.
During a speech at the White House, Trump baffled listeners by claiming there are “certain elements of genius that can be given to a baby.” His comments often stray into nonsensical territory, such as when he launched into a lengthy soliloquy about how former President Barack Obama walks down the stairs: “Da da da da da da, bop, bop, bop.” Remarks like these have stoked concerns about his mental sharpness.
Trump also expressed concern during discussions about water pressure, stating, “The water’s dripping out and that’s no good for me.” This obsession with minutiae misses a bigger picture that is more concerning — what does it say about his priorities and ability to focus on key national challenges? In recent talks with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, he went on an unexpected rant about windmills making whales act “loco,” leaving many puzzled.
During that campaign on social media, Trump posted this AI-generated video, which made it look like he was announcing “med-bed hospitals”. This makes even clearer his eagerness to wade into baseless speculation and conspiracy theories. He claimed that “zero people” entered the U.S. illegally recently, despite data showing that approximately 7 million individuals immigrated legally during the first three months of 2025 alone.
It’s the same playbook that Trump has used to distract us all election cycle with his outrageous statements. Critics assert that major systemic hurdles prevent removal. Brian Kalt, a legal scholar, noted, “The system is really set up to protect the president. It’s really hard to get rid of a president between elections.” He emphasized that while protecting the presidency is vital, it is equally important to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.