Joe Scarborough: Trump staffers told me Trump ‘had early stages of dementia’

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I just read an Axios story (more like an Axios listicle) which shook me. It takes a lot to leave me *shook* these days, politically speaking. I’ve been going on low-key enraged autopilot for months, really, as a defense mechanism and simply a way to get through this year. It’s no secret that this week has been especially terrible with Donald Trump – he’s been EXTRA, in every single way, and completely and utterly crazy. Well, Axios had a story yesterday which was basically like “as soon as Trump gets any kind of ‘win,’ he’s going to get even worse.” From Axios:

Exhausted by the Trump presidency? Brace yourself: White House officials expect Trump to be even more outrageous and cocksure in coming months. What we’re hearing: Officials tell us Trump seems more self-assured, more prone to confidently indulging wild conspiracies and fantasies, more quick-triggered to fight than he was during the Wild West of the first 100 days in office.

Imagine Trump if he signs a huge tax cut into law, which seems likely, amid soaring stocks and rising economic growth. magine if Roy Moore wins in Alabama, which seems likely, too. It surely won’t humble Trump — or hem him in. He’s like the Incredible Hulk, after the media and Mueller made him mad.

[From Axios]

The worst part, if you read the full Axios listicle, is that Trump has probably never been more popular with Republicans in Congress. They’re grateful that he’s acting so f–king bizarre and unhinged because that way, no one is paying attention to how they’re ramming through this terrible tax bill. So is it all an act, some kind of high-minded disruption strategy? Or is Trump really and truly crazy and getting worse by the day? Please enjoy this clip from Thursday’s Morning Joe:

Joe Scarborough says:

“If this is not what the 25th Amendment was drafted for — I would like the Cabinet members serving America, not the president, serving America— you serve America and you know it. You know you don’t serve Donald J. Trump, scam developer, scam you know Trump University proprietor, reality TV show host, you don’t represent him. You represent 320 million people whose lives are literally in your hands, and we are facing a showdown with a nuclear power and have you somebody inside the White House, somebody that the New York Daily News says is mentally unfit. People close to him say he is mentally unfit, people close to him during the campaign told me he had early stages of dementia. Now, listen, you can get mad at me. When are we supposed to say this? After the first nuclear missile goes? Is that when it’s proper to bring this up in polite society? Tell me.”

[Via People]

People told Scarborough that Trump has early-stage dementia? You know what scares me even more than Axios’ predictions? What if the vote doesn’t go the GOP’s way? What if there is a real government shutdown? What happens then? Do you think Trump’s behavior will get better or worse?

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122 Responses to “Joe Scarborough: Trump staffers told me Trump ‘had early stages of dementia’”

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  1. DazLondon says:

    Trump is already deranged

    • minx says:

      I was going to say, it’s not-so-early stage dementia.
      Coupled with his existing personality defects, it’s a toxic combination.

      • RedOnTheHead says:

        Forget toxic. It’s beyond terrifying. So many comments about how this doesn’t excuse his terrible behavior. And that’s true but so not what this is about. The bigger picture here is if he really is in the early stages of dementia, which is nothing to joke about, then we had all better hope and pray that someone realizes it quickly and relieves him of duty. It’s all well and good and appropriate to rag on him about everything else (and I do daily) but don’t forget….this man has immediate access to the nuclear codes. That one fact alone makes everything else pale in comparison.

  2. Maya says:

    Dementia does not excuse the fact that Trump is racist, vile, evil, rapist and devil’s spawn.

    • Blaire Carter says:

      *clapping*

    • lucy2 says:

      And always has been. This is not new behavior.

    • Megan says:

      If Scarborough knew that during the campaign he had a duty to report it on his show.

      • B n A fn says:

        @megan, IMO, joe and Mika is one of the reasons the dotard is in the White House. Joe and Mika had him on their show in the primaries and gave him soft ball questions helping him along to defeat his computers. Mika was especially critical to Hillary-Clinton at that time. She still hates Hilliard to this day. I watch their show almost every day but mostly for their guests and their regulars. Yesterday the dotard called out joe saying they should investigate him for the death of an intern in his office years ago when he was a congress man. I’m sure joe and Mika are going to spill the tea 🍵 now, 😆.

      • BJ says:

        His supporters would have ignored it.They hated Hillary so much.You could say Donald was a racist,a rapist,mentally I’ll,etc and his supporters would defend him even more.

      • magnoliarose says:

        I don’t blame anyone in the media for 45 except the outlets blasting every word he said and screaming about the emails and not doing basic research early in the election.
        I do blame the left for being reactionary and not having it together, but they weren’t any worse than anyone else and better than some.

    • Starfish says:

      Every day is terrifying. The news just gets worse and worse. Why is it men in entertainment have to resign but not in politics? We need to start with his resignation.

    • Esmom says:

      Agreed. And he may or may not have dementia but I think he’s acting more unhinged because he has learned that he can get away with it with ZERO repercussions.

      The office of POTUS is permanently tainted.

      • Juls says:

        Yep, the toothpaste is out of the tube. The office of POTUS may be forever tainted.

      • Chrissy says:

        He’s never had to face repercussions. How many people has he hurt or ripped off over the years? He has always hidden behind his money, his lawyers, his celebrity etc. I wonder why this deranged psycho remained in business and is not in jail after all the shady transactions (the casino debate anyone?), the suspected money-laundering and mob ties, the massive fraud (Trump University), the sexual assaults? He has always got off scot-free. I think his increasing instability is because of Robert Mueller. Everyone close to him and his campaign has been interrogated and he knows he is in the crosshairs. Plus, he knows he’s guilty and a fraud and could face serious jail time or, even worse for him and his fragile ego, humiliation if forced to resign. He just doesn’t care if he brings down the country as long as he looks like he’s “winning”. What a deranged, narcissistic toddler he is. JMO

      • Wren says:

        Honestly this is the first time he’s had to face even a shadow of a repercussion for his actions. How dare he be investigated! Don’t they know who he IS? He’s got his followers but he’s also being mocked on a grand scale his ego likely never thought possible. This is why he’s doubling and tripling down on everything. The only thing that keeps him relatively calm and happy is believing that everything he does is wonderful and that people adore/fear/respect/whatever him. So the less things go “his way”, the crazier he will be. Narcissists are like that. When they get what they want they are generally fine, but deny them what they want and watch the tidal wave of rage and fury. He cares about nothing and nobody but himself and his image. I’ve though he’s had dementia for awhile now.

    • hezzer19@yahoo.ca says:

      THIS. If he does have some form of dementia it still doesn’t excuse him. But his supporters will no doubt use this as an excuse for his behaviour and accuse his detractors of being mean to him. They’ll use this to make him some sort of martyr. Which he’s not. He’s just an a**hole.

    • jj says:

      Still in shock! Can’t believe it’s been less than a year. So depressing.

    • Jerusha says:

      My husband had Alzheimer’s. He never acted this vile or crazy. Dementia removes inhibitions, so this is trump’s real inner being coming out.

      • bvFTD says:

        Dementia is not only Alzheimer’s! The most common but under-recognized type of young-onset dementia (tending to strike in the 40s to 60s, but as early as the 20s and as late as the 80s) is called frontotemporal dementia because it attacks the frontal lobe first. This horrific neurodegenerative disorder causes drastic personality change, poor judgment and impulse control, explosive outbursts, hypersexuality, and selfishness. It destroys executive functions, empathy and emotions (except for rage).

        Current estimate is 300,000 with the disease, but a neurologist who has been studying it for decades and treating people with ftd, believe there are over a million people with the disease in the US, most of whom are never diagnosed because it is usually dismissed as marital breakdown or “midlife crisis” or misdiagnosed as a psychiatric disorder.

        Dementia is not only memory loss in the old: It is a profound personality change in the prime of life.

  3. QueenB says:

    I mean how would you know with a guy like Trump? Is his behaviour a sign or is it just part of his personality?

    • third ginger says:

      QueenB, this is what I wonder about. We certainly know he was racist, sexist, and xenophobic years ago when he worked with his awful father. Perhaps, as a poster suggested above, there is a combination of factors.

    • Who ARE these people? says:

      Great and complex question. Guessing deteriorating language skills would be one indicator. Problems with visuospatial perception another. Short term memory, of course. These are independent of his personality traits and can be measured. Reduced impulse control is trickier because it could be emotional as he can’t do everything I government that he could do in business. An MRI could show brain shrinkage but it’s not on its own diagnostic. And he won’t be getting any of these work ups.

      • Laura says:

        I’ve been wondering about all of this and how much more of his unhinged behavior we’ll be seeing. I think there is something wrong with him, like dementia, that coupled with his feeling of being untouchable, his true colors will be showing more and more.

        I read this morning the date of the state of the union has been announced it will be January 30. My very first thought – it’s going to be a shit show – can you imagine him sticking to a script for 90 minutes? There’s no way. He’s going to go off the rails quickly.

      • Tiffany :) says:

        I have heard that people have compared current interviews to interviews from decades ago, and it is striking how his vocabulary has decreased extensively and it’s a new habit to repeat the same things over and over.

    • Sister Carrie says:

      @QueenB: I used to wonder the same thing about Reagan. (in terms of intelligence)

  4. Nicole says:

    Surprising no. An excuse for all the vile things he’s said and done. H*ll no.

  5. Beth says:

    He’s always showed signs that he had some kind of personality disorder, even before his campaign. It’s extra bad and scary how much worse it gets every day and nobody is stepping in to remove him.

    • Jen says:

      I completely agree. His narcissism, insecurity, remorseless dishonesty and temper are NOT normal, especially considering his position.

    • cleveland girl says:

      Totally accurate. We cannot put the blame on Trump. We have to put it on all is underlings doing NOTHING to stop him.

  6. Purplehazeforever says:

    Sadly Congress doesn’t care.

    • Juls says:

      They don’t. But that doesn’t stop me from calling Corker Every. Single. Day. to plead with him to say no to the tax bill and to do something about that unhinged orange lunatic.

  7. wood dragon says:

    Ever since that ogre got elected I have been on a steady simmer with frequent boiling moments – that’s when I curse the jerk as I mute his a$$ on the news.

  8. Tessa says:

    It doesn’t seem like dementia. He’s just terrible

    • Betsy says:

      According to everyone else it sure does. That doesn’t negate how wretched he is.

    • ORIGINAL T.C. says:

      Exactly, it’s just Trump being Trump. I really don’t care anymore about the media’s month “Trump is crazy I tell ‘ya!” We told you so as you licked his butt for ratings. There is not a damn thing I can do about it until the 2018 elections. The senate, congress and Supreme Court are going to support his tranny until they are run out of office. I’m unmoved by any thing he does these days.

      • B n A fn says:

        You are right, everyone knew the dotard was a lyer, a racist and unqualified for the job as President, yet the deplorables still voted for him. IMO, now, it’s not about him but those republicans who are condoning this dispictable man and the things he’s doing. Yesterday the British parliament, I believe, had to chastise him from parliament, how embarrassing. I bet Ryan and McConnell were quite happy 😆 that they are getting their tax bill pass which will screw the poor people.

      • Kitten says:

        Why can’t both be true? The dementia isn’t turning him into a terrible person-he has always been that-but the dementia could be making his terrible behavior more erratic. If you watch old videos of him he was always a smug, entitled, arrogant piece of shit but he was composed, he didn’t act like an unhinged lunatic.

        But I understand the importance of not excusing his behavior believe me. I just think he’s the same awful person he’s always been, except now hes losing his faculties.

      • Who ARE these people? says:

        Exactly Kitten both can be true. People take whatever they have into old age. Geriatrics is a complicated business.

      • Wren says:

        Kitten: Exactly. That’s what I’ve been thinking. He’s always been awful but he definitely used to be “it’s okay to take him out in public”. Even on the campaign trail he was more, uh, with it. He’s still the person he always was, but now with less impulse control, a looser grip on what’s going on around him, a weaker command of language, and all the rest of it that goes along with deteriorating mental faculties.

        He was never prepared for the role of president, and even though he’s just playing president and not really doing much real presidenting, the stress is taking its toll. Just look how holding office ages prepared, qualified people who can handle not being the bigly bestest all the time. It’s eating him and his mind is going. I think that’s why Ivanka looks at him the way she does in nearly every picture. His terrible sexism, abuse, racism, criminal activities, shady friends, lies, narcissism, and everything is nothing new to her, and she was perfectly happy before. Now she’s got the expression of someone watching a parent slowly sink into dementia. She knows. Actually it’s been her expressions across so many photos that made me think he’s got dementia in the first place. Because just based on his actions, well, yeah.

      • ORIGINAL T.C. says:

        Oops sorry for the errors: that’s “monthly” and “tyranny”!

  9. Eric says:

    Once it’s revealed publicly that Flynn is a cooperating witness, the curtain on this shitshow comes down.
    It’ll be quick but the fallout will last for years.

    We will get through this peeps. Together.

    • Esmom says:

      Eric, thank you for your ongoing confidence. It feels like a little life raft bobbing in the raging sea of Trump-generated crap.

      • Juls says:

        Eric is truly a breath of fresh air. I also appreciate his enduring optimism.

      • Eric says:

        Esmom:
        It may look like a gnarly Christmas fruitcake now, but the US is going to be fine again. The country that was built on values and the rule of law can waver but never be broken.

        We have fought tougher opponents throughout history and the patriots in every state know how to defend the US. The US has white hats everywhere (mueller, Schneiderman, Schiff, Yates, et al) who won’t let this stand.

        Hoping for the best outcome for Jeru in AL. Resist! Down with pedophiles, treasonweasels, corruption, sexual harassers. Up with patriotism, kindness, cordial debate, and love.

      • Kitten says:

        I know. He’s the only one around here that reminds me that there’s still hope.

      • noway says:

        @Eric you are right it does feel like a gnarly Christmas Fruitcake, but we all survived the cake, maybe we all were a bit sick though. My only caveat to everyone is I think we have to set ourselves up for a slower downfall. I would love to have it quick, but just remember quick is hardly ever long lasting. Here’s hoping it happens soon, and Flynn has now plead guilty to lying to the FBI, wonder what that means to all.

    • Chrissy says:

      Thank you Eric. We need some positivity during this dark and distressing time.

      • Eric says:

        Juls, Chrissy, Kitten:
        Cheers!
        Here’s hoping for a pink pussyhat Christmas!

        I’m a happy taxpayer today knowing that a few cents of my salary went to pay toward the $5mil bill for the Mueller investigation.

        Go Mueller Go!

      • Eric says:

        Breaker breaker 1-9!
        Flynn just pled guilty to lying to the FBI!

        Meeeeeeerrrrrrryyyyyy Christmas everyone!!!

        Let the tweet storm begin.

      • Diana says:

        Excuse my naïveté– what does this mean though? Does Flynn go to jail?????? A reason to celebrate indeed!

    • lightpurple says:

      Not sure how I’m going to get through the major tax increase that is heading my way.

    • Wren says:

      I…..I needed that. It all feels so hopeless sometimes.

  10. Kitten says:

    Funny I was also reading a (different) terrifying article on Axios this morning about how Keebler Elf wants to crack down on marijuana at the Fed level and take away states’ rights. God I f*cking hate these people.

    Re: Trump’s mental state. I do think he has dementia but he’s always been a heartless asshole so basically now he’s a heartless asshole with dementia. GOP are soulless cowards though so no way 25th amendment will be invoked.

    • Beth says:

      I love that a 12 year old girl who moved to Colorado for marijuana to control her seizures, is suing Sessions for trying to take it away. Let’s see what the Keebler Elf thinks of marijuana when him or a family member needs it for medical reasons

    • magnoliarose says:

      It is part of their fascist agenda. They can’t go full Stalin Il Duce if states can resist their authority but I don’t believe the Supreme court is going to allow it. Gorsuch is on his own in his crazy. Even the other conservative judges break with him often. That is what I read a few days ago, but we will see.

      • Kitten says:

        Oh man I hope you’re right. I was thinking that state AGs will file suit for sure. Colorado has already made a good profit from legalization. You can’t just go in and reverse that-shut down lucrative shops and growing facilities, etc-without facing major pushback. This isn’t just about buyers, this is people’s livelihood he’s effin with.

      • magnoliarose says:

        It is also about racism. The drug war is based on racism, and it is used as an excuse to load the prison system with people of color. Giuliani did outrageous things to people of color in NYC when for years you could smoke a blunt right past a police officer, and they didn’t care. He even went back to using racist cabaret laws, that were in place to stop white people from going to Harlem jazz clubs so he could close down businesses. Now after 91 years it is struck off the books.
        For a time it looked like Kennedy was going to retire, but I am not sure the justices want 45 involved with sitting someone else on the bench. There is so much going on with every branch I can’t tell.

    • lightpurple says:

      Good luck in trying. I now can’t imagine my morning T ride without the strong essence of pot, which I do not smoke.

    • Tiffany says:

      @Kitten KKKebbler Elf is a investor in private prisons. On top of his blantant racism, he is looking to profit come hell or high water.

    • Wren says:

      We have legalized here and the governor went on record basically saying the Feds would take away our weed over his dead body. If they try, they are going to face HUGE opposition not only from the people but from state governments too. They like their increased revenue and are not going to give that up without a bitter fight. The will of the people is also increasingly against them. So, be prepared for the attempt and the fight, but don’t lose hope. There’s big money in legal cannabis and people want it. I can’t think of much in this country that can withstand the power of money and market demand combined. They don’t have the money that Big Pharma does (yet), so they can’t yet buy politicians or special interests, but it’s coming. Keebler Elf can wail and gnash his teeth and throw his weight around all he likes, but in the end he’ll be trampled in the rush to the pot shop. Or if not him, his successors will.

  11. Giulia says:

    Too bad there’s not a functioning opposition party to working to meaningfully block him. Voter registration, actively opposing the catastrophic tax bill, etc. RIP, America.

  12. Sway says:

    I actually though he had what looked like early signs of dementia when I watched video ofthat one event where he said: “Melania really wanted to be with us” while Melania was standing right next to him. They tried to spin it like he merely pointed out that she is there because she really wanted to be, but it sure didn’t seem that way. It seemed like he really forgot she was there and he was … confused.

    • boredblond says:

      And there was a memorable line a few weeks ago..something like ‘protecting your children’s furniture’..yeah, it’s not a misprint..i’ve said for years he’s not playing with a full deck, his mental problems have just been put on a fast track

  13. Wren33 says:

    I do think he has early signs, with all the repetition of words, and deterioration of speech compared to how he used to be. However, that is not the cause of his other various forms of assholeishness.

    • Esmom says:

      Maybe, maybe not. I think one of the reasons he talks that way is because he has low intellect and zero knowledge of the things he’s supposed to be discussing.He can only speak confidently when he’s conning or lying.

    • noway says:

      It really doesn’t matter whether it is dementia, personality disorder, old age, some form of mental or physical illness, or he is just an As&(*(. Unless the cabinet or congress, who both seem to be fine with him, do anything about it we are all just stuck in crazy land. If the world blows up, figuratively or actually, it’s not like the cause of Trump’s behavior is going to matter. I just pray his total incompetence just maims and not kills us.

    • Christin says:

      There is a video of him from 30-odd years ago when he bought a landmark NYC hotel and is talking to a reporter. It sounded similar to the word salads he cobbles together today.

      People who were around him for long periods of time in his younger years describe him as intellectually lazy. I think his “better” moments were teleprompter or coached, for many years now. And, there was a rumor his vision isn’t perfect and he refuses to wear glasses. Add all that together, plus pressure and plain old aging, and that’s what we have today.

  14. magnoliarose says:

    He’s been out of control for years, and he most definitely has a mental disorder.

    Yesterday I was in one of the lowest of my gloomy moods since the election but a night off from the news has helped. I advise if for anyone who is getting overwhelmed by his gaslighting.

    • Jayna says:

      I stepped away when November hit. I rarely read in depth or comment on any news. I want to focus on my family and friends and the holidays. I’ve been much happier.

      But I don’t ignore the big breaking news. Flynn is charged. Yay!!!!!

      • magnoliarose says:

        Flynn is charged? This is great news!
        I am going to do what you do and limit my reading. After just one evening I feel better.

        Wow, Flynn going down…I need to sit with this feeling for a while.

  15. Mabs A'Mabbin says:

    There’s no excuse. Dementia? Really? Quit finding justifications for his lunacy. I want him gone. I want history to negate his existence, but we’re stuck with this unimaginable embarrassment.

    • Runcmc says:

      I don’t think anyone is looking to JUSTIFY his actions. We’re all grasping for a way to get him the F out of the White House, and that’s why the 25th amendment is being mentioned. If he’s not fit to hold office then he must be removed.

    • Lithe says:

      You are conflating justification with rationalization.

    • Mabs A'Mabbin says:

      I should’ve added lol as this amuses me not angers. Deplorables can justify, and yes rationalize, this man-bear-pig 24/7. I, however, can’t.

  16. the_blonde_one says:

    I would like a cookie for NOT posting my immediate first reaction caption to that last photo of him and Melania. (I know this was a serious post, I just can’t yet this morning).

    • lightpurple says:

      Chocolate chunk, oatmeal white chocolate & cranberry, lavender shortbread or gingerbread? I’ve been baking. Now, that you’ve had your cookie, please share your reaction.

      • Esmom says:

        Mmm. Hijacking to say I’ll take one choc chunk and one lavender shortbread, please. 🙂 I didn’t comment on the photo either, lol.

      • the_blonde_one says:

        lavender shortbread please!
        ‘LOOK at it! it’s the best pu$$y and I grabbed it with these hands right here. I grabbed that first class pu$$y with my biggest big boy hand just like this’.

        it needs some fine tuning.

  17. BJ says:

    I believe he does have early stages dementia.The saying one thing on Monday and changing his position by Friday.Not knowing his wife is standing there,walking past his car at the airport,etc.
    But he is also a narcissist, delusional jerk.

  18. Jayna says:

    There’s been so much coverage of other things, that it kind of got lost in the mix, but he has been on a roll with his crazy tweets. I think he’s shallow, meanspirited, racist, misogynistic, can’t speak past a fifth grade level, has temper tantrums and attacks like a middle school bully, and might have a touch dementia also. He can be all of those things.

  19. Jayna says:

    Oooh, Baby Fists Trump is going to have a meltdown about all the empty seats at his Christmas tree lighting thing compared to Obama’s first one, which was packed. Trump will be seething over that photo out there.

    • Chrissy says:

      LOL! I saw the pictures. It brightened my day. I bet he won’t mention it at all since it makes him look like the loser he is. He’ll just seethe in private and his staff will help him get over it with another slice of chocolate cake and THREE scoops of ice cream.

    • third ginger says:

      Get ready for the vile harpy [with apologies to those fine mythic creatures] Huckabee Sanders to proclaim with a straight face that it was the best attended Christmas Tree lighting in history. Period!!

    • minx says:

      D.C. Itself is dark blue and is surrounded by blue states (VA was purplish, getting bluer). His supporters aren’t the type to tear themselves away from Fox News and actually get off their duffs to do something.. That’s partly why his inauguration was sparsely attended and why wing nut gatherings are often a bust.

      • Jayna says:

        LOL That visual of the Deplorables with Fox News on 24/7 is spot on, unless they are listening to Rush Limbaugh while in the car.

      • noway says:

        Just if you don’t know all the cities and counties that surround the White House are blue and have been that way for a long time. VA is purple because of outside of the DMV area (District, Maryland & Va. for those not in the area).

      • Lightpurple says:

        There’s also the problem of an understaffed office of the First Lady and an extremely lazy First Lady who doesn’t give a damn. First Ladies (staff) traditionally get involved in planning these events and insuring that they are well attended by extending invitations to military families in the area, local schools, families of White House and executive branch staff and congressional staff. Melania’s staff waits until last minute and limits those involved considerably.

    • swak says:

      Saw those pictures last night and wonder what tweet was coming next.

  20. Lightpurple says:

    Flynn being brought to court & charged with lying to FBI. HE FLIPPED!

  21. Lila says:

    For me, the hourly nature of Trump’s bizarre tweets, insults and outrageous behavior has almost taken on background/ white noise quality. So when we have to sit up and listen the people won’t hear anymore. Trumps noise is constant and the media seems to only focus on that. The only news show I can count on . Trump will not change and the White House and Republicans will cover for him.

  22. Veronica says:

    That’s exactly what Congress is doing. They’re using his sideshow personality to ram through problematic legislation. It’ll be too late before they realize the kind of damage they’ve done in the long run.

  23. Valiantly Varnished says:

    My anxiety and depression have been really high this week with everything going on with the tax bill. I just feel like we are kind of screwed as a country. Our democracy is being torn apart and I’m honestly scared about what the future holds. Even without Trump the GOP has proven how little they care about the American people.

  24. jetlagged says:

    I feel like everyone that is going “so what” and “he was already an a$$” are missing the point here. Dementia in a loved one or the guy down the street is one thing, a horrible tragic thing, but dementia in a head of state with access to nuclear weapons is an entirely different matter. Depending on the severity and the rate of progression, it’s grounds for removal from office.

    Aren’t all President’s required to have a yearly physical the results of which are made public? Has Trump had one yet? Is he able to opt out of the physical entirely or opt out of disclosing the results? I still can’t believe the press and public accepted that quack doctor’s one page letter saying Trump was super healthy but Hillary felt obligated to release twenty years of detailed health records. Most other presidential candidates have done the same. Except for Trump.

  25. JennyJenny says:

    I believe there may be some early onset dementia…
    But I’m more apt to believe his narcissistic, sociopathic personality is now just in full swing.
    We see and hear him everyday now. Was he really any different 5 years ago? We weren’t having to see him that often back then. (Ah, the good old days…)
    And I’ll add to that; I believe there is some type of substance abuse at play as well.
    These opinions are just coming from my RN self.

  26. Themummer says:

    I honestly believe that he has narcissistic personality disorder and that he has begun to develop dementia. I think that he fairly clearly has a mental health problem, which in no way precludes developing dementia as one ages. The real question is whether or not anyone will stand up and actually try to do something about this disaster.

  27. robyn says:

    I’ve thought Trump showed early signs of dementia at times but he’s also a cagey old fox. He could be using “dementia” or some kind of mental illness as an excuse for his misdeeds (and perhaps convenient forgetfulness) as his last resort to stay out of jail … should it come to that.

    • themummy says:

      This is a great observation. I hadn’t though of this before, but it is so plausible! He is a bumbling dotard, for sure, but he’s also kind of crazy like a fox when it comes to staying ahead of trouble (even when it means throwing anyone else under the bus).

      • Mo says:

        Lol, crazy like a fox insinuates that he is clever and that is not the case if you’ve ever seen him testify in the many court cases he has been dragged through. The only reason he is not behind bars like his Kushner’s father is because he has enough money to hire the best lawyers. And white privilege.

  28. so says:

    In case he really has dementia (which I think he has) and it becomes more and more obvious that he can’t be in charge, what’s supposed to happen ? Can a US President be “empeached” for mental/cognitive inability ? As an European I’m curious to know how this works.

    In my country (France), we had the case, in the 1920s, of a President with mental health problems (severe depression that lead to erratic behavior), and he was pressured by his cabinet to resign. His behavior was harmless compared to Trump’s, though.

    • jetlagged says:

      There is a provision in our Constitution (separate from impeachment) that allows for removal in the event of being incapacitated or otherwise medically unfit. It was added in modern times when everyone realized a brain-dead commander-in-chief is problematic when nuclear weapons are at issue. I’m not even sure who gets the ball rolling. Perhaps the Cabinet, or even VP?

      Honestly, this type of situation is a legal and Constitutional nightmare. There have been enough presidents that have croaked in office that we have a solid procedure for how to proceed, but the few occasions when a president has been enfeebled after election have been messy. When Woodrow Wilson had a stroke in office, it was hidden from the public for a time and his wife actually became his go-between to the Cabinet and Congress.

  29. adastraperaspera says:

    Trump will continue to get worse. He is a main player in a conspiracy with a hostile foreign power. He and his family are going to finally face the rule of law. He may have dementia or he may be pretending so as to plead insanity, but either way he is now having the reckoning he has deserved his whole life.

  30. Medusa says:

    Yeah… I could believe this but he seems very restrained when it comes to Russia or Putin. He really fears them and hasn’t said one wrong word about them so that seems just too selective for me.

  31. Skippy says:

    I certainly believe the report about dementia. Makes sense. So – who will do something? No one. Who will stop him? No one.
    Next story……

  32. Mina says:

    Wouldn’t it be nice if a brain disease could explain Trump? But I think he’s just that way.

  33. isabelle says:

    He in no way has dementia, they are covering for him because they know King big baby will soon be charged and they don’t want to go down with him. If he goes down bet they will try to use it as a defense. Don’t be fooled by these people. The only thing wrong with Trump he is a spoiled trust fund man baby with Narcissistic personality disorder. He is now being told daily the word NO and he is blowing out sideways because of it. He has ALWAYS been this way, read the Art of the Deal, watch old interviews with him, he is exactly the same but has grown more older with his narcissism (with no treatment for it)and narcissism is worse in his old age & being a flop as a President. His big ego is bruised and he is lashing out & out of control because of it.

  34. jana says:

    I believe Trump has dementia, and I also believe when all is said and done, we will find out that Russia rigged this election, whether by bots, voting machines, or some other nefarious activity.
    I have never bought the fact that Hillary could win the popular vote by 3 million, but somehow lost the Electoral College by 70,000 votes. I smell a rat. A Russian rat.

  35. Deeanna says:

    Some things I observed as the Lewy Body Dementia of a family member progressed:

    A step-like deterioration – meaning that rather than changes in behavior being gradual, often changes would be rather abrupt. My contact with this family member was usually at least weekly and sometimes there would be a significant change from one week to the next, but then there might not be any further change for 6 months or more.

    An increasing inability to “find the proper word” in a person who formerly had a very good command of language and vocabulary. So phrases like “that red thing over there” would be used instead of naming an object. At first, this may not be noticed, but eventually it becomes quite noticeable.

    Non-recognition of familiar items. “What is this new chair doing in my living room?” was asked about a chair that had been there for at least 5 years. “When did you get this new car?” was asked about a vehicle the family member had been in numerous times. This non-recognition of the familiar can also extend to locations and to faces. “That isn’t my doctor, that’s not what he looks like!”

    Delusions and hallucinations came next. Delusions can range from “everyone’s out to take advantage of me” to “someone is coming into my house when I am gone” to “people are trying to poison me”. Hallucinations include things like “I see people in costumes dancing on my lawn every night” to calling the police to report “there are people in my basement having a party”.

    It is unpleasant and can be frightening for family members to see these things happening in a loved one. Depending on the underlying personality of the stricken person, there can be much conflict in attempting to acknowledge the truth of the matter. A cantankerous, truculent type of personality can become skilled at disguising their deficits from many. Denial and division among family members is not uncommon.

    Sadly, such denials often delay diagnosis and treatment. There are lifestyle situations and medications that can exacerbate dementia symptoms. There are medications and lifestyle alterations that can reduce symptoms. So proper diagnosis by a neuropsychiatrist or a gerentological neurologist are essential.

    I hope someone in Donald Trump’s family has the courage to talk to his doctors. Sadly, this is what we as caring family members are obligated to do. I definitely recognize symptoms of dementia in this man. Those close to him probably recognize even more – but whether they know what they are looking at is another issue.

  36. bvFTD says:

    Representatives of countries, I understand, get yearly physical examinations, but I think it’s much more important for them to undergo regular neurological testing.

    I believe Chancellor Merkel is also very ill. She exhibited personality change, lack of empathy and impulsivity in 2015 by unilaterally breaking immigration laws without consent of the German people nor permission of other countries, which I believe was the “threshold event,” disrupting Germany and the entire continent.

    Heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and so many other physical ailments are terrible, but undiagnosed diseases of the brain can be catastrophic – to the family, the business, in a courtroom, operating room, on a plane, and for the people of a nation.

    bv

  37. LittlefishMom says:

    He was always a piece of sh*t. It’s just more visible now for obvious reasons.

  38. Ferdinand says:

    John Mayer said it best:

    “Idea: somebody should tell Trump they want to make a 3-D scan of his head for a statue but really it’s an MRI.“

  39. Watching A Trainwreak says:

    Well, well, we’ll…Trump is on his way to Manhattan for a “Thank You” luncheon hosted by donors…not the middle class that he claims the tax plan is meant to help. The hypocrisy of this Administration and the Republican controlled Congress just kills me. Also, here’s to the death of the phrase “deficit hawk” which can never be used with a straight face by a Republican again…whoops, wrong again! Hypocrites are immune to shame!!!

  40. A Fan says:

    I highly doubt he has dementia. He’s behaving the same way he always has (decades and decades) – an egotistical, cocksure weirdo.

    [*It’s like a 3-ring circus and reality show all rolled into one.*]

  41. Sal says:

    It’s all bs. I don’t buy that he has dementia at all. He has been like this for many, many years. It is just his true self. He is evil, hate-filled and narcissistic.

  42. Greenie says:

    I haven’t been alone in yelling for months now that the man is in the early stages of dementia. Or that he’s possibly had a stroke that damaged his faculties.

    Have you guys seen John Oliver’s video where he takes apart the transcript of one of Trump’s speeches? The incoherence is ridiculous and frightening.

    https://youtu.be/1ZAPwfrtAFY

    If you want to skip to the transcript part, it starts around 3:15.

  43. Lisa says:

    It could be true, but he’s been a textbook asshole for his entire life, so…