Psychiatrist Urges Cognitive Evaluation for Trump

In the wake of the recent presidential debate, psychiatrist Richard A. Friedman has raised concerns about former President Donald Trump's cognitive health, suggesting he may exhibit signs of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Friedman, who detailed his observations in The Atlantic, noted Trump's verbal incoherence, tangential thinking, and repetitive speech as alarming indicators that warrant a rigorous neuropsychiatric evaluation. Despite acknowledging that he cannot diagnose Trump without an in-person examination, Friedman emphasized that such symptoms are not uncommon in elderly patients and could signify serious cognitive decline. These assessments follow a contentious debate performance where Trump struggled with coherent responses, contrasting sharply with Vice President Kamala Harris' more structured, albeit repetitive, speech. The concerns have reignited discussions about Trump's mental fitness, with significant public figures and pundits weighing in on the implications for his capacity to serve. Similar worries had previously led to the professional ostracization of Yale psychiatrist Dr. Brandy X. Lee, who had also warned of Trump's cognitive decline.