As Donald Trump battles allegations of business fraud in court, his absence from the rally spotlight hasn’t silenced concerns about his mental sharpness. A renown psychologist has been vocal, pointing to Trump’s demeanor and frequent bouts of nodding off during his own trial as ominous indicators of a deteriorating mental state.
Dr. John Gartner, a seasoned psychologist and former assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, minces no words. In a recent interview with Salon, be bluntly asserted that Trump’s ongoing trial in Manhattan is a stark display of his cognitive decline.
“Trump’s trial in Manhattan is providing more evidence of his apparent cognitive decline,” Gartner told Salon. His observations are troubling —Trump has reportedly dozed off during four out of six trial days. While nodding off isn’t uncommon for someone of Trump’s age, the context raises red flags.
Gartner emphasized the rarity of a defendant repeatedly nodding off during their own trial, suggesting that Trump’s apparent struggle to stay awake might be more than just fatigue—it could be a symptom of dementia.
“Trump fell asleep 4 out of 6 days of his own trial. Falling asleep is not in and of itself particularly specific to dementia. I fall asleep at dinner parties, because I’m old and work too hard. Bill Clinton was famous for it,” Gartner explained. “But can you remember a criminal defendant repeatedly unable to stay awake at his own trial? I can’t. It’s obviously very rare. Most people are pumped full of adrenaline when they’re in the dock,” he told Salon.
The psychologist doesn’t stop there, adding that it is fairly common for dementia patients to “pass out.” He highlights the psychological toll the trial is likely taking on Trump, a figure who thrives on power and control. Instead, Trump appears diminished, vulnerable, and adrift—a far cry from the strongman persona he seeks to project.
“This may be the first criminal trial I’ve been aware of where the defendant appears, in my opinion, to have dementia. Is it a coincidence that it’s also the only one I’ve ever known where the defendant can’t remain awake most days? Trump appears to be losing control of his basic biological functions. One is sleep-wake,”
In Gartner’s eyes, the stress of the trial could be exacerbating Trump’s decline, hastening the unraveling of a man once synonymous with authority.
“The trial is really a form of psychological torture for a malignant narcissist who needs to appear powerful. Instead, he appears small, confused, and helpless,” he observed.
