A Doctor's Warning: Is Trump's Health Declining Further?
The debate over President Donald Trump's fitness for office just got another jolt this time from a psychiatrist with serious credentials. Dr. Henry David Abraham, who was part of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War when the group won the Nobel Peace Prize back in 1985, says he's grown even more alarmed about the president's condition since he first spoke out.
Back in the spring, Abraham was one of three dozen health professionals who signed an open letter calling for Trump's removal under the 25th Amendment the constitutional provision that allows a sitting president to be replaced if deemed unable to fulfill their duties. At the time, the letter described "severely impaired judgement and impulse control" along with a "marked deterioration in cognitive functioning." Now, Abraham says things have only gone downhill from there.
"We Wouldn't Let Him Fly a Plane"
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM, Abraham didn't mince words. He drew a comparison that's since gotten a lot of attention: if a commercial airline pilot showed even half the symptoms Trump reportedly displays, nobody would let that pilot near a cockpit. It's a blunt way of framing his concern and one meant to underscore just how high the stakes are given that Trump, unlike a pilot, holds the nuclear codes.
That combination erratic behavior paired with access to the country's most powerful weapons is exactly what Abraham says makes the president "more dangerous" now than at any point before.
Months of Speculation
This isn't coming out of nowhere. Ever since Trump turned 80 in June, chatter about his physical and mental sharpness has only intensified. Observers have pointed to a string of public moments mumbled remarks, apparent memory slips, moments of drowsiness as well as visible bruising on his hands and puffiness around his ankles that's shown up repeatedly in photos and video.
The administration has consistently rejected any suggestion that something's wrong. Officials maintain the president is in "perfect" health, chalking up the hand bruising to all the handshaking his job requires and attributing the ankle swelling to a common vein condition known as chronic venous insufficiency.
No Direct Exam, But Close Observation
It's worth noting that Abraham and his fellow signatories have never actually examined Trump in person something they acknowledged plainly in their original letter. Instead, they say their assessment comes from closely tracking his public statements and behavior over time, which is a common (if debated) approach among mental health professionals commenting on public figures from a distance.
White House Fires Back
The administration wasted no time responding to Abraham's latest comments. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle didn't hold back either, calling Abraham a "Trump Deranged loser" who's making political attacks disguised as medical opinion. Ingle went further, saying Abraham's comments amount to a "disgrace" to the medical field.
What Happens Next
With Trump's health continuing to draw scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle, this latest exchange is unlikely to be the last word on the subject. As long as questions persist about his day-to-day fitness for the job, expect more voices medical and political alike to keep weighing in.
Comments
Post a Comment