During a speech at the National Rifle Association’s annual meeting in Dallas, Texas, Donald Trump experienced a peculiar moment where he seemed to freeze for more than 30 seconds.
The former president, notorious for his lengthy delays, kept the crowd waiting for over two hours past the scheduled time of his speech. When he finally took the stage, he launched into praise for Texas before abruptly falling silent at the lectern.
“The Texas spirit of proud independence was forged by cowboys and cattle hands, ranchers and rangers, oil workers, soldiers and brave, brave, brave, pioneers,” Trump told the crowd of gun owners.
“Many came here with nothing but the boots or their feet, the clothes on their back, and the gun in their saddle. Together they helped make America into the single greatest nation in the history of the world.”
At that moment, Trump suddenly froze as a dramatic Q-Anon music played. At one point in the lengthy pause, the former president shook his head (video below).
Trump’s detractors wasted no time in seizing upon the incident, highlighting the irony of his frequent attacks on President Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity. At 77 years old, Trump’s own mental fitness came under scrutiny as he appeared momentarily incapacitated.
Social media erupted with commentary, with critics of the former president quick to label the incident as evidence of mental decline. References were made to similar incidents involving other political figures, further fueling the speculation.
Supporters of Trump rushed to defend him, offering various explanations for the freeze, including the claim that he was simply “listening.” However, the incident added to a growing list of moments where Trump’s behavior on stage raised questions about his fitness for office.
This episode came on the heels of another incident at the NRA convention where Trump stopped to swat at a fly buzzing around him, further adding to the scrutiny of his behavior.
The Biden campaign didn’t miss the opportunity to capitalize on Trump’s stumble, using it to bolster their narrative of Trump’s unsuitability for office. They pointed to another recent incident where Trump appeared unsteady on his feet during a speech in Minnesota, further painting a picture of a president past his prime.
In light of these incidents, concerns over Trump’s mental sharpness continue to mount, providing ammunition for both his critics and political opponents alike.
Check the video below:
BREAKING: Donald Trump just glitched out and froze at his rally tonight. He is clearly unfit for office. Retweet so every American knows Trump is senile. pic.twitter.com/QTa5qKNy8H
— Biden’s Wins (@BidensWins) May 19, 2024
