The White House is scrambling — and failing — to explain away a growing list of baffling public moments from President Donald Trump, who at 79 is showing more signs of confusion with each appearance.
On Monday, Trump announced a “public safety emergency” to crack down on crime in Washington, D.C. But when speaking to reporters, he suddenly veered off-topic and claimed — not once, but twice — that he was “going to Russia on Friday.”
The summit he was referring to? It’s actually in Alaska.
Trump later walked it back, admitting he wasn’t leaving the country. But instead of calling it what it clearly was — a mistake — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to spin it into something bigger.
“Perhaps there are plans in the future to travel to Russia,” she told reporters Tuesday.
The 27-year-old spokesperson didn’t offer any clarification on why the president thought he was flying to a country the U.S. hasn’t sent a president to in more than a decade. Her vague deflection only added fuel to the fire.
And it’s not a one-off.
Last week, at a White House event with top officials and business leaders — including Apple CEO Tim Cook — Trump seemed to forget who was in the room.
“I’d like to welcome to the White House one of the great and most esteemed business leaders and geniuses and innovators anywhere in the world, Apple CEO Tim Cook,” Trump said. “Thanks as well to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick for being here, wherever you may be.”
Lutnick was standing directly behind him.
“I’m right behind you,” Lutnick said.
Trump turned, startled. “Oh hey, fellas. I missed you.”
Then came another blunder at an August 5 event focused on the 2028 Summer Olympics. While introducing Cabinet members, Trump looked right at Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and called her “Cristie Kerr” — a retired pro golfer.
And just days before, during a veterans’ bill signing, Trump looked around in confusion before asking: “Where’s Derrick? Derrick?”
Rep. Derrick Van Orden was standing right next to him.
“Right here,” the congressman replied.
Trump’s team insists these are nothing more than harmless slips. But with the gaffes piling up and the president’s aides spinning harder than ever, the White House’s efforts to cover for him are starting to look more desperate than convincing.
Watch the clip below:
REPORTER: The president said at the podium yesterday twice that he was planning to go to Russia. Was that a slip up or does he actually plan to go to Russia?
LEAVITT: Perhaps there are plans in the future to travel to Russia pic.twitter.com/h3uSNvhBDU
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 12, 2025
