Trump's schedule has also become less busy: he spends a lot of time at his golf clubs, travels less around the country, and hardly holds mass rallies that were once part of his political style. He prefers to sit even when others are standing and often does not start his duties until noon.
According to a report by the New York Times, the number of his public appearances has decreased by almost 40% compared to the first year of his presidency. Periodically, he disappears from the public eye for several days, as he did at the end of summer, and his administration provides conflicting information about his health. His right hand often appears injured or changes color, raising questions as it is frequently wrapped in bandages or hidden under makeup. The White House stated that he has bruises from frequent handshakes, but photos show that his ankles look swollen.
At 79, Trump has become the oldest president in U.S. history. He took office after criticizing Joe Biden, whose age became a topic of discussion when his awkward public appearances raised suspicions about his team's concealment of his health status. In 2024, Trump used Biden's age as a symbol of the incompetence of the Democratic Party, claiming that Washington is incapable of addressing America's problems. After taking office in early 2025, he placed an image of a pen, considered a symbol of Biden's ineptitude, in the spot where Biden's portrait was supposed to be on the "Presidential Hall of Fame," which Trump established.
Now, questions about Trump's own health and his ability to fulfill his duties are increasingly arising.
Trump reported undergoing an MRI in October but refused to clarify what specific issues the doctors were investigating. "I'm not aware of what exactly they were checking," he noted aboard Air Force One, adding that the results were excellent.
Trump's physician stated that the scan was conducted to visualize the heart and abdominal cavity and was of a "preventive nature." However, experts pointed out that MRIs are not typically ordered for preventive purposes and are used to monitor existing conditions.
Trump also stated, "I took a cognitive test and passed it with flying colors."
It is unclear whether Trump has specific health issues, and it would be inappropriate to diagnose him. Nevertheless, discussions about his age and physical condition reflect the realities of his presidency: Trump is not eternal and is aging. His influence as president, leader of the Republican Party, and key figure in American politics is gradually waning.
Questions about Trump's health would likely not provoke as much speculation if his popularity were at a higher level. According to recent polls, his approval rating has fallen below zero in most states and among most demographic groups.
The first months of his second term, filled with shocking changes in the federal bureaucracy and attempts to implement cultural reforms, have given way to a more lethargic period in which Trump's influence has weakened. Support that once seemed reliable has proven superficial. People have become more actively resistant to him as his approval rating has declined, making him less influential.
If Trump appears physically weakened, it may be related to his diminished political standing. Changing public opinion has reduced his chances of securing a third term, and Republicans have become less willing to help him carry out dubious plans. This has also led to Trump being perceived as a "lame duck."
American democracy, or what remains of it, continues to face threats. It will not be safe even if Trump is at his best, and it will not become safe if he leaves office tomorrow. However, his apparent mortality changes the perception of everyone, including himself.
In recent years, Trump has become more contemplative and melancholic, often mentioning death. "I think I might not make it to heaven," he stated in October. "I'm not sure I can get to heaven."
