The question of Donald Trump's health has never really gone away but a new tell-all book from two of America's most respected political journalists is bringing it back to the center of the national conversation, with fresh detail and some revealing moments from inside the White House.
What the Book Actually Says
Regime Change, co-authored by New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, goes beyond the usual political drama to offer a more personal look at how Trump's body and behavior have changed over time. During a live interview on CNN with anchor John Berman, Haberman spoke candidly about what she and Swan uncovered.
"Aides are aware that he is older," Haberman said. "What exactly goes on with Donald Trump's health is one of the mysteries of the last 10 years."
She noted that while the White House has been skilled at managing the narrative around Trump's wellbeing, the signs are becoming harder to ignore. "He is moving differently," she said. "He has the swelling in the ankles, which he was so irritated by the coverage of. He's very sensitive about his appearance."
On the subject of his hearing, Haberman was equally direct: "His hearing is an issue. They have all been aware of it. The fact that he is older it's harder to mask it."
Berman himself admitted the hearing concerns were news to him, reflecting just how carefully the White House has managed this information.
The "Cankles" Controversy
One of the more striking revelations in the book is Trump's reaction to press coverage of his ankle swelling. According to Regime Change, Trump was genuinely upset when photos and commentary circulated about what some outlets called his "cankles" a term that clearly stung. He reportedly pushed for press secretary Karoline Leavitt to bring it up and respond to it during a media briefing.
His medical team has explained the condition clinically chronic venous insufficiency, which causes blood to pool in the lower legs, leading to visible swelling. It is a manageable condition, but not one easily hidden in public appearances.
The White House Pushes Back
Unsurprisingly, the administration is not taking the scrutiny lying down. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle issued a firm statement defending the president, saying Trump's "sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility" set him apart and took a direct shot at the previous administration in the process.
"President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises," the statement read, while also accusing Democrats and mainstream media of having covered up Joe Biden's own health struggles.
It's a familiar defensive posture from the Trump camp pivot, attack, and project strength.
A Pattern of Public Moments Raising Questions
The book's release comes at a time when Trump has had a few notable public moments that observers have flagged. Just days ago, his appearance at the G7 summit in France drew widespread commentary, with several journalists and analysts describing his speech as "strange" and "rambling in parts."
The very next day, Trump got into a tense exchange with a reporter while taking questions live on air. "I know what's going on a hell of a lot better than you do," he snapped a sharp, defensive response that many interpreted in the context of the growing conversation around his mental and physical fitness.
Turning 80 in the Oval Office
Trump marked his 80th birthday earlier this month, making him the oldest sitting president in American history a record he now holds outright. That milestone alone has intensified the public interest in his health, and his supporters and critics alike are watching closely.
The White House maintains he is in excellent shape and fully in command. But between a new book from two deeply sourced journalists, visible physical changes caught on camera, and a series of eyebrow-raising public moments, the conversation around Trump's health is unlikely to quiet down anytime soon.
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