'Hide the hard truth': Trump administration 'living in a fantasy' on crucial issue

The Trump administration are finding it difficult to "hide the hard truth" according to an investigative piece into the president's whereabouts.

The New York Times reported there are "signs of fatigue" in the 79-year-old president's actions, including less meetings, fewer public appearances, and a worry over a bruise on his hand. The president's number of public engagements has dropped significantly since his first term, and a political historian, Matthew Dallek, says this decline mirrors that of his predecessors.

He said, "The people around him are similar to Biden’s aides. They would talk as if we’re living in a little bit of a fantasy world. Trump, in that way, with the help of his aides and his doctors have created this fiction about his health to hide the hard, cold truth that he is 79 and one of the oldest people to ever occupy the Oval Office."

The White House has maintained Trump is in "impressive physical and mental shape" for his age. Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, "President Trump’s physician has released two detailed reports following both of his physical examinations as part of his ongoing health maintenance plan; and anyone who watches President Trump in his daily public events can clearly see he is in impressive physical and mental shape, with an unrelenting work ethic."

But Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman says it's all smoke and mirrors to keep Trump from looking less "sedentary". He explained, "They show him as effective but every time he’s in the Oval Office, he’s sedentary.”

Appearances from the president are down by 39% compared to his first term. Trump[ made 1,688 appearances during the first ten months of his first term, whereas he has made just 1,029 so far in the second term.

It's believed Trump is also starting his days later, with the official events for Trump on a day to day basis often scheduled for after 12pm, rather than the first term time slot of 10.30am.

Dr. Kuhlman has since suggested that, for all the president's keenness to get up the stairs to Air Force One, the public perception of his health could be very different to what it is behind closed doors.

The White House physician from 2000 to 2013 suggested, "you don't know what he does as soon as he walks in the door." Focus was made on the bruised right hand Trump has been spotted with too, with speculation rife about his medical condition.