Despite a stunning Republican caucus victory in Iowa last night, doctors warn that Donald Trump has looked tired, gaunt and unsteady on his feet in recent months.
The 77-year-old, usually full of energy and charisma, appeared unusually frail and uncertain as he entered a hotel in Des Moines on Saturday evening after a busy day of campaigning.
Dr. Stuart Fischer, an internal medicine doctor in New York, told : “I've never seen him do that before.” Walking is one problem, but balance is another. “He looked a bit like he was on a ship at sea.”
During his victory speech on Monday night, commentators pointed out that Mr. Trump was less animated than usual and his voice was quieter. Similar criticism was leveled at his announcement as president in 2022.
His third campaign was marred by a series of blunders that appear to be increasing in frequency, including confusing Barack Obama with the current president and falsifying the name of the city where he was speaking.
Dr. Keith Vossel, a neurologist at the University of California, Los Angeles, told that the former president looked “pretty exhausted” amid an aggressive campaign schedule and mounting legal problems.
Mr. Trump appeared more tired than usual and with a slimmer face in Iowa over the weekend
“It shows he's aging, I think that's a nicer way to put it,” said Dr. Fisherman.
Trump's critics have seized on his growing list of gaffes and used them to counter attacks on President Joe Biden's age and frailty.
But Dr. Vossel said he sees “no neurological events” regarding Trump.
Commentators, fellow politicians and even former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews said Trump's demeanor had become visibly more tired in recent months.
Many have also claimed that Mr. Trump's body has appeared slimmer and his face gaunt recently.
There were rumors that the former president lost weight with the help of blockbuster weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy.
Dr. Fischer, who has criticized Trump's diet and sleep habits in the past, added: “You can't fool Mother Nature.”
“If you have not lived a healthy life or are unlucky enough to suffer from one of several chronic diseases. “You will age faster, and then the curtain will fall.”
But Dr. Fischer warned against exaggerating Trump's behavior in Iowa, citing the bitingly cold weather.
Cold temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, reducing oxygen-rich blood flow and causing cramps and impaired movement and coordination.
Cold temperatures can cause muscle stiffness and loss of sensation, which could explain his clumsy gait.
Dr. Fischer added: “The temperatures are really, really low.” It's not like New York City, where it's around 30. Also, there is a cold wind blowing, and you catch him as soon as he comes in. Once inside, it may take up to five minutes for him to fully acclimate.”
Donald Trump won the Iowa caucus on Monday with a stunning victory over Republican rivals Gov. Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley and Vivek Ramaswamy
It could also be that Mr. Trump's age is clearly showing. Between the ages of 75 and 80, motor skills and coordination deteriorate.
Even though Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis spent millions of dollars and ran wild in Iowa's 99 counties, Mr. Trump won 98 of those counties. But he wasn't in the middle, as is usual.
He attended an impromptu civic event over the weekend, surrounded by supporters, where he sat with his shoulders slumped and moderated his tone.
And as he delivered a stack of pizzas for a local fire department in Iowa on Sunday, he appeared to be dragging one leg, walking the same way he had at the hotel the night before.
His hotel entrance on Saturday was the latest example of Trump appearing confused and uncertain.
He has repeatedly confused former President Barack Obama with current President Joe Biden, said the U.S. would enter World War II if Biden remained in office even though World War II had already occurred, and confused the names of cities in whom he is campaigning for.
Mr. Trump's less animated demeanor and leisurely pace during this election cycle have not had a negative impact on his poll numbers against President Biden, who 77 percent of American voters surveyed say is too old for a second term.
For millions of voters, Mr. Trump's recent stumbles are nothing compared to President Biden's fair share of verbal blunders and stumbles.
Both Biden and Trump's doctors have certified their fitness for office despite voters' doubts.
Dr. Fischer said: “His age is not what it used to be and that might worry people considering the choice is not one but two people who are not at their best physically. “
“Whether they are mentally okay or not, I leave it to the others. But that’s one of the hallmarks of the aging process.”
President Biden has generally been more open about his health than Mr. Trump, including the medications he takes that could make falls more dangerous.
The most recent record of the medications Mr. Trump takes comes from a 2018 investigation that shows Mr. Trump takes Crestor for high cholesterol, aspirin to prevent heart attacks, antibiotics to treat rosacea on the skin, Propecia for hair loss and took Ambien to help him sleep.
Blood thinners, prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, can potentially make falls more fatal. If a person taking blood thinners spills something, there is a significantly increased risk of bruising and internal bleeding.
Side effects of Ambien are known to include fatigue, falls, and confusion. It remains unclear whether Mr. Trump is taking the same medications today as he did five years ago.