Opinion: Unwanted Sequel - Sleepy Trump, 79, Takes Center Stage in D.C.

Washington is experiencing a strange sense of dj vu, as if history is on replay. Once the target of Donald Trumps criticismsslow speech, stumbling, and moments of mental fogPresident Joe Biden now seems mirrored in Trumps own recent struggles. Trump himself is displaying signs of physical and cognitive decline: drifting sentences, dozing off in meetings, and struggling to keep up during speeches.

At a recent Cabinet meeting, Trump was seen nodding off as Linda McMahon spoke. He also boasted about passing an MRI, only to admit uncertainty about what type of scan it actually was. Karoline Leavitt later assured the public it was perfect. Unlike Biden, who often had aides managing his public image, Trump openly displays his lapses without a protective team orchestrating appearances. Experts like Dr. Bandy Lee and Dr. John Gartner describe Trump as a classic malignant narcissist, craving the spotlight and revealing every sign of decline to the public.

Visible signs include swelling ankles, bruised hands, and a dragging right leg. Verbally, Trump struggles with mispronunciations, repeated stories, and interruptions, while emotional outbursts have become frequent, including derogatory remarks toward others. Despite asserting that he is sharper than 25 years ago, Trump has been observed dozing and losing focus during public events.

Supporters dismiss these physical signs as trivial, but Trumps overall presentationclinging to railings, appearing exhausted, and often glued to the Resolute Desksuggests otherwise. Beneath the bravado, he faces rising prices, health-care costs, and faltering diplomatic claims. The Epstein files, recently ordered for release, add further pressure.

While media coverage of Bidens decline was cautious due to ageism concerns, Trumps unraveling is unmistakable on camera. On Air Force One, he has lashed out at reporters, demanding constant attention and insisting on his coherence, often reacting angrily when confronted with reality. Acting presidential is more than appearanceit is performance, and the current signs indicate difficulty in fulfilling those responsibilities effectively.

The situation can be likened to a bullfight: the picador weakens the bull, leaving it vulnerable and aware of its diminishing power. Similarly, Trump shows agitation but is exposed, with the outcome of his political and personal struggles increasingly clear. The question now is which key political figureMarjorie Taylor Greene, Mitch McConnell, Jeffrey Epstein, or JD Vancewill have the decisive role in this unfolding scenario.

Author: Sophia Brooks