Concerns about President Donald Trump's mental fitness are approaching levels comparable to those that forced Joe Biden from the 2024 race.
Multiple recent polls show majorities of Americans question the 79-year-old president's cognitive capacity and physical stamina, including a Reuters-Ipsos poll released before Trump's State of the Union address that found 61 percent – including 30 percent of Republicans – agree that Trump has "become erratic with age," reported CNN.
A CNN survey showed those confident in Trump's "stamina and sharpness to serve effectively as president" declined from 53 percent in late 2023 to 46 percent today. A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll found 56 percent doubt his mental sharpness and 51 percent question his physical health — representing increases of 13 points and 23 points respectively since May 2023.
While Trump's numbers remain better than Biden's were at this stage — Biden faced 54 percent doubting his mental sharpness in February 2022 — the trajectory is striking.
A Pew Research survey shows confidence in Trump's mental fitness dropped from 39 percent to 32 percent year-over-year, with physical fitness dropping from 35 percent to 28 percent. Among Trump's own base, only 66 percent remain "very confident" in his mental fitness, down from 75 percent.
Multiple factors contribute to this erosion. Verbal stumbles — such as repeatedly confusing Iceland and Greenland — combined with scrutiny over bruises on his hands and reports of falling asleep during public events have fueled concerns. The White House's delayed medical disclosures and Trump's reduced public schedule further invite questions.
Trump's marathon one-hour-48-minute State of the Union speech, despite breaking his own record, failed to assuage doubts. While Trump frequently boasts about acing cognitive tests, independent polling suggests Americans perceive cognitive decline regardless of official health assessments.
The parallel to Biden is unmistakable: an aging president facing mounting public concerns about fitness for office. Though Trump's numbers haven't yet reached Biden's pre-withdrawal crisis levels, the deteriorating trajectory suggests this issue will dominate 2026 political discourse.
