🕷️ Crawler Inspector

[Iran War Live Updates White House Says Iran’s ‘Desperation’ for Deal Is Growing](https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-live-trump-gives-time-naval-blockade-will-start-11818589) - [U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us) - [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) - [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) - [Tech](https://www.newsweek.com/technology) - [Fact Check](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check) - [Sports](https://www.newsweek.com/sports) - [Global](https://www.newsweek.com/world) - [Russia-Ukraine](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/russia) - [Middle East](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/middle-east) - [China And Asia](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/china) - [Better Planet](https://www.newsweek.com/better-planet) - [All World News](https://www.newsweek.com/world) - [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life) - [Family & Parenting](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/parenting) - [Entertainment](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment) - [Travel](https://www.newsweek.com/travel) - [Pets](https://www.newsweek.com/pets) - [Automotive](https://www.newsweek.com/autos) - [Relationships](https://www.newsweek.com/relationships) - [Science](https://www.newsweek.com/tech-science) - [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health) - [Personal Finance](https://www.newsweek.com/personal-finance) - [Better Workplaces](https://www.newsweek.com/better-workplaces) - [Readers Choice](https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice) - [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) - [My Turn](https://www.newsweek.com/my-turn) - [All Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) - [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/) - [Health](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/health) - [Finance](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/finance) - [Products](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/products-services) - [Education](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/education) - [Workplaces](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/work) - [Corporate Responsibility](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/corporate-responsibility) - [All Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/) - [Social](https://www.newsweek.com/) - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Newsweek) - [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newsweek) - [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/newsweek) - [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@newsweek) - [Twitter/X](https://x.com/newsweek) - [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/user/newsweek/) - [Extra](https://www.newsweek.com/) - [Newsletters](https://www.newsweek.com/preference-center) - [Newsmakers](https://www.newsweek.com/newsmakers) - [Unconventional](https://www.newsweek.com/unconventional) - [Events](https://events.newsweek.com/) - [Podcasts](https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts) - [Vantage](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/vantage) - [Magazine](https://www.newsweek.com/archive) - [CEO Circle](https://www.newsweek.com/ceo-circle) - [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements) - [Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership) - [Dev Pragad](https://www.newsweek.com/dev-pragad) [Subscribe](https://www.newsweek.com/subscribe) Sign In - U.S. [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news)[Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics)[Tech](https://www.newsweek.com/technology)[Fact Check](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check)[Sports](https://www.newsweek.com/sports) - Global [Russia-Ukraine](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/russia)[Middle East](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/middle-east)[China And Asia](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/china)[Better Planet](https://www.newsweek.com/better-planet)[All World News](https://www.newsweek.com/world) - Lifestyle [Family & Parenting](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/parenting)[Entertainment](https://www.newsweek.com/entertainment)[Travel](https://www.newsweek.com/travel)[Pets](https://www.newsweek.com/pets)[Automotive](https://www.newsweek.com/autos)[Relationships](https://www.newsweek.com/relationships)[Science](https://www.newsweek.com/tech-science)[Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health)[Personal Finance](https://www.newsweek.com/personal-finance)[Better Workplaces](https://www.newsweek.com/better-workplaces)[Readers Choice](https://www.newsweek.com/readerschoice) - Opinion [My Turn](https://www.newsweek.com/my-turn)[All Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) - Rankings [Health](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/health)[Finance](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/finance)[Products](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/products-services)[Education](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/education)[Workplaces](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/work)[Corporate Responsibility](https://rankings.newsweek.com/category/corporate-responsibility)[All Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/) - Social [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/Newsweek)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/newsweek)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/newsweek)[TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@newsweek)[Twitter/X](https://x.com/newsweek)[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/user/newsweek/) - Extra [Newsletters](https://www.newsweek.com/preference-center)[Newsmakers](https://www.newsweek.com/newsmakers)[Unconventional](https://www.newsweek.com/unconventional)[Events](https://events.newsweek.com/)[Podcasts](https://www.newsweek.com/podcasts)[Vantage](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/vantage)[Magazine](https://www.newsweek.com/archive)[CEO Circle](https://www.newsweek.com/ceo-circle)[Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements)[Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership)[Dev Pragad](https://www.newsweek.com/dev-pragad) [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Donald Trump](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/donald-trump)[Mental health](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/mental-health)[Psychology](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/psychology)[Cornell University](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/cornell-university)[Joe Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/joe-biden)[2024 Election](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/2024-election) News Article # Donald Trump’s Mind ‘Faltering,’ Top Psychologist Warns *** Published Apr 02, 2024 at 11:12 AM EDT ## Video  3 Donald Trump’s Mind ‘Faltering,’ Top Psychologist Warns *** ### Related Videos -  ‘No Man Left Behind’ Means No Man Left Behind \| THE JOSH HAMMER SHOW -  Donald Trump Is Emphatically Correct About Birthright Citizenship \| THE JOSH HAMMER SHOW -  Donald Trump’s Mind ‘Faltering,’ Top Psychologist Warns By Aleks Phillips U.S. News Reporter 0 Share [Newsweek is a Trust Project member](https://www.newsweek.com/editorial-guidelines) Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. *** Donald Trump's mental capabilities appear to be "faltering in a very dangerous way," a leading psychologist said. Speaking on the *David Pakman Show* on Monday, Harry Segal, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University who has been critical of the former president's mental health since he was first elected, said Trump was showing signs of onset dementia. "I think of this cognitive decline as being another layer of danger on top of an already erratic, mentally challenged person who shouldn't be anywhere near the White House," Segal said. His comments come after a number of mental health professionals, who have also been critical of Trump, wrote statements claiming he was [suffering from symptoms of dementia](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-dementia-evidence-overwhelming-top-psychiatrist-1881247), while President [Joe Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/joe-biden)—who has faced intense [scrutiny about his age and mental acuity](https://www.newsweek.com/huge-majority-voters-think-biden-too-old-serve-poll-1798907)—was showing normal signs of aging. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at 40 Wall Street after a pre-trial hearing on March 25, 2024 in New York City. A growi... Read More \| Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images They said Trump displayed behavior that typified a "confusion about reality," and argued that he would have to be removed from office as he would become "dangerously unable to fulfill the responsibilities" of president. At the time, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign told *Newsweek* that the former president had "aced" a cognitive test twice and was "willing to take a third test if Joe Biden sits in the same room and takes it at the same time." They said Biden was "clearly suffering from cognitive decline," a claim the president has repeatedly rebuffed. #### Read More [Donald Trump’s Mental Acuity Test Questioned on Fox News3 min read](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-mental-acuity-test-questioned-fox-news-1884410) [Donald Trump Dementia Evidence ‘Overwhelming,’ Says Top Psychiatrist4 min read](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-dementia-evidence-overwhelming-top-psychiatrist-1881247) [Joe Biden Tackles Criticism of His Age Head-On3 min read](https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-tackles-criticism-his-age-head-1877677) Critics of Trump point to occasions such as him [confusing Barack Obama with Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-mocked-calling-barack-obama-president-speech-richmond-virginia-1875336) and [garbling words](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-campaign-speech-gaffes-errors-mistakes-virginia-north-carolina-1875462). In the interview on Monday, Segal said the examples were "intermittent," usually occurring during rallies at night rather than during interviews in the daytime. "This is something that's been observed in many people suffering from early stages of dementia—and that's called sundowning," he said. He added that because the "slippages" were occasional, Trump often spoke normally, but Segal claimed: "The complexity of his language has changed. "So when he's speaking—what appears to be—coherently, it's almost like he's gumming together phrases that he repeats over and over again. Now, he's always had a tendency to do this, but if you go back, as I have, to looking at interviews in 2016, he was clearly more crisp \[and\] he was more complex than he is now." Segal went on to argue that these two behavioral shifts were something "I'm really afraid of because they always lead to more. So we may not be seeing it every time he speaks, but if he were to be elected, a year from now, how would he be functioning?" *Newsweek* approached the Trump campaign via email for comment on Tuesday. The psychologist stressed that while he may have my own political views, he was basing his claims on the observation of behavior. In a November letter, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, Trump's personal physician, said the former president's "overall health is excellent" and "his [cognitive exams were exceptional](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-doctor-medical-report-health-physician-1845459)." Meanwhile, Biden has also suffered a number of [public gaffes](https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-maui-hawaii-wildfires-officials-names-speech-1821524), which [Republicans have used to imply](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-was-joe-biden-ruled-mentally-unfit-stand-trial-1870259) Biden is unfit to continue for another term. Already the [oldest U.S. president](https://www.newsweek.com/why-joe-biden-age-problem-donald-trumps-isnt-1784674) in history, Biden would turn 82 weeks after election day; and if elected, he would be 86 by the end of his second term. But the president has brushed off [queries about his physical and mental health](https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-hot-mic-viral-video-north-carolina-factory-visit-1791160), telling a news conference in February that his "memory is fine" and "I know what the hell I'm doing." "If I were concerned about Joe Biden's cognitive abilities, I would be saying it with as much alarm as I am about Trump," Segal said. He added that he was "impressed" by Biden's performance at the State of the Union address at the beginning of March, noting that the president had spoken for around an hour in the evening, and had called out heckles from GOP members of [Congress](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/congress). "You can't do that if you're suffering from major cognitive impairments," Segal said. The psychologist admitted that Biden "does seem a bit frail" and appears "not as crisp as he was, physically or even in his pronunciation of words," but attributed this to his age and long battle with a stammer. "To Americans, Biden looks much older than Trump," Segal said. "But to me, Trump looks like he's faltering in a very dangerous way." [Request Reprint & Licensing](https://www.newsweek.com/contact) Submit Correction [View Editorial & AI Guidelines](https://www.newsweek.com/editorial-guidelines) *** Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. ## Recommended For You [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Donald Trump Impeachment Backed by Most Americans: Poll](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-impeachment-backed-by-most-americans-poll-11800093) 4 min read [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Donald Trump’s Approval Rating With Catholics Amid Vatican Drama](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-approval-rating-catholics-vatican-11805488) 5 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Trump Warns US Military Ready to ‘Finish’ Iran After Talks Fail](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-warns-us-military-ready-to-finish-iran-after-talks-fail-11810764) 4 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Donald Trump Reacts to Melania’s Epstein Allegations Speech](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-says-he-didnt-know-about-melania-epstein-statement-11808208) 5 min read [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Internet Saying the Same Thing About Donald Trump Jr’s Post on Viktor Orbán](https://www.newsweek.com/internet-reaction-donald-trump-jr-post-viktor-orban-11818938) 3 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Nancy Guthrie Update: Detective Outlines Motive Behind Ransom Notes](https://www.newsweek.com/nancy-guthrie-update-detective-outlines-motive-behind-ransom-notes-11797210) 4 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [US Catholics Back Pope Leo as Trump Loses Support](https://www.newsweek.com/us-catholics-back-pope-leo-as-trump-loses-support-11805555) 5 min read [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world) [U.S.–Iran Truce Strains Amid Hormuz Uncertainty and Lebanon Strikes](https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-latest-live-updates-trump-declares-big-day-world-peace-iran-10-point-ceasefire-plan-oil-prices-11797257) 2 min read [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world) [Donald Trump, Pope Leo Popularity Compared Amid Iran War Feud](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pope-leo-popularity-compared-iran-war-feud-11822124) 4 min read [U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us) [Donald Trump Explains Jesus AI Image Post](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-jesus-truth-social-post-doctor-pope-11822035) 1 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Pope Leo Hits Back at Donald Trump](https://www.newsweek.com/pope-leo-hits-back-donald-trump-11819236) 1 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Petition Demanding Trump Apologize to Pope Leo Signed by Thousands](https://www.newsweek.com/petition-demanding-trump-apologize-pope-leo-signed-thousands-11818718) 4 min read [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world) [Netanyahu Saying Trump Admin Reports to Him Daily Sparks Backlash](https://www.newsweek.com/netanyahu-trump-administration-daily-briefings-sparks-backlash-iran-war-11821658) 1 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Donald Trump Deletes Jesus Photo After Conservative Fury](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-jesus-post-deleted-truth-social-pope-11821553) 1 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [Iran War Updates: Netanyahu Vows to Keep Striking Hezbollah Despite Ceasefire Strain](https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-latest-live-updates-trump-issues-warning-bigger-strikes-strait-hormuz-nuclear-weapons-lebanon-11803200) 2 min read ## Conversation Log in \| Sign up Start a discussion, not a fire. Post with kindness. Read our guidelines [here](https://www.newsweek.com/community-guidelines)  All Comments MOST LIKED **0** ### All Comments Start the conversation ## Active Conversations The following is a list of the most commented articles in the last 7 days. - [A trending article titled "Iran war live: Trump says Iran sought new talks as US blockade underway" with 386 comments.Iran war live: Trump says Iran sought new talks as US blockade underway 386](https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-live-trump-gives-time-naval-blockade-will-start-11818589?__vfz=medium%3Dconversations_top_pages) - [A trending article titled "Mark Carney takes swipe at Trump with whiskey joke in defiant speech" with 30 comments.Mark Carney takes swipe at Trump with whiskey joke in defiant speech 30](https://www.newsweek.com/mark-carney-takes-swipe-trump-whiskey-joke-defiant-speech-11816956?__vfz=medium%3Dconversations_top_pages) Powered by ## Related Podcasts ## Top Stories [Live Blog](https://www.newsweek.com/live-blog) [Iran War Updates: Trump Says Iran Sought New Talks as US Blockade Underway](https://www.newsweek.com/iran-war-live-trump-gives-time-naval-blockade-will-start-11818589) 2 min read [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Tony Gonzales to Retire From Congress Amid Expulsion Calls](https://www.newsweek.com/tony-gonzales-retire-congress-expulsion-calls-11823670) 3 min read [News](https://www.newsweek.com/news) [List of Pro-Trump Christian Leaders Rebuking President](https://www.newsweek.com/list-of-pro-trump-christian-leaders-rebuking-president-11822680) 5 min read [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [Democrats Within Striking Distance of Flipping Trump’s Home State—Poll](https://www.newsweek.com/democrats-within-striking-distance-flipping-florida-poll-11822774) 4 min read [Politics](https://www.newsweek.com/politics) [GOP Senator Hails Election Win Over Trump Ally Orbán in Hungary](https://www.newsweek.com/tillis-praises-orban-election-defeat-hungary-trump-ally-11822407) 5 min read [World](https://www.newsweek.com/world) [Donald Trump, Pope Leo Popularity Compared Amid Iran War Feud](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-pope-leo-popularity-compared-iran-war-feud-11822124) 4 min read [Trending](https://www.newsweek.com/) Donald Trump [Trump Sparks Fury With Image of Himself as Jesus: ‘Antichrist Spirit’](https://www.newsweek.com/trump-sparks-fury-with-image-of-himself-as-jesus-antichrist-spirit-11818578) 7 min read Air quality [Thousands in California Urged To Stay Inside—‘Keep Windows Closed’](https://www.newsweek.com/thousands-california-urged-stay-inside-keep-windows-closed-11818874) 3 min read VA [VA Gives Financial Boost To Veterans: What Changes and Who Qualifies](https://www.newsweek.com/va-gives-financial-boost-to-veterans-11815178) 4 min read Golf [Scottie Scheffler Delivers Strong Message on Rory McIlroy After Masters Win](https://www.newsweek.com/sports/golf/scottie-scheffler-delivers-strong-message-on-rory-mcilroy-after-masters-win-11818366) 3 min read California [Who Is Eric Swalwell’s Wife, Brittany Watts? What We Know About Family](https://www.newsweek.com/eric-swalwell-wife-brittany-watts-family-kids-resigns-11823524) 5 min read [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [Yom Hashoah 2026 and The Cold War Roots of Modern Antisemitism \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/yom-hashoah-2026-and-the-cold-war-roots-of-modern-antisemitism-opinion-11811467) 5 min read [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [Deportations Are Putting US Disaster Response at Risk \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/deportations-are-putting-us-disaster-response-at-risk-opinion-11807297) 4 min read [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [Why Cutting Education During Crises Costs More in the Long Run \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/cutting-education-during-crises-costs-more-in-long-run-opinion-11791949) 5 min read [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [What Afrika Bambaataa Did \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/what-afrika-bambaataa-did-opinion-11810699) 7 min read [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) [Sweet Tooth of Organized Crime Has Bitter Cost for Consumers \| Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/sweet-tooth-of-organized-crime-has-bitter-cost-for-consumers-opinion-11800497) 4 min read ### sections - [U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us) - [Global](https://www.newsweek.com/world) - [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life) - [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health) - [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) - [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/) ### company - [About Us](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek) - [Masthead](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek#masthead) - [Careers](https://www.newsweek.com/careers) - [Diversity & Inclusion](https://www.newsweek.com/diversity-report) - [Mission Statement](https://www.newsweek.com/mission-statement) - [Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership) ### editions - [U.S. Edition](https://www.newsweek.com/) - [日本](https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/) - [Polska](https://www.newsweek.pl/) - [România](https://newsweek.ro/) ### contact - [Advertise](https://advertising.newsweek.com/) - [Corrections](https://www.newsweek.com/corrections) - [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements) - [Press Center](https://www.newsweek.com/press-center-image-gallery) - [Contact Us](https://www.newsweek.com/contact) ### terms of use - [Cookie Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/cookie-policy) - [Copyright](https://www.newsweek.com/copyright) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-service) - [Terms of Sale](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-sale) - Privacy Settings ### sections - [U.S.](https://www.newsweek.com/us) - [Global](https://www.newsweek.com/world) - [Lifestyle](https://www.newsweek.com/life) - [Health](https://www.newsweek.com/health) - [Opinion](https://www.newsweek.com/opinion) - [Rankings](https://rankings.newsweek.com/) ### company - [About Us](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek) - [Masthead](https://www.newsweek.com/about-newsweek#masthead) - [Careers](https://www.newsweek.com/careers) - [Diversity & Inclusion](https://www.newsweek.com/diversity-report) - [Mission Statement](https://www.newsweek.com/mission-statement) - [Leadership](https://www.newsweek.com/leadership) ### editions - [U.S. Edition](https://www.newsweek.com/) - [日本](https://www.newsweekjapan.jp/) - [Polska](https://www.newsweek.pl/) - [România](https://newsweek.ro/) ### contact - [Advertise](https://advertising.newsweek.com/) - [Corrections](https://www.newsweek.com/corrections) - [Announcements](https://www.newsweek.com/announcements) - [Press Center](https://www.newsweek.com/press-center-image-gallery) - [Contact Us](https://www.newsweek.com/contact) ### terms of use - [Cookie Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/cookie-policy) - [Copyright](https://www.newsweek.com/copyright) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.newsweek.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-service) - [Terms of Sale](https://www.newsweek.com/terms-sale) - Privacy Settings © 2026 Newsweek Digital LLC    **0**

Donald Trump's mental capabilities appear to be "faltering in a very dangerous way," a leading psychologist said. Speaking on the *David Pakman Show* on Monday, Harry Segal, a senior lecturer in psychology at Cornell University who has been critical of the former president's mental health since he was first elected, said Trump was showing signs of onset dementia. "I think of this cognitive decline as being another layer of danger on top of an already erratic, mentally challenged person who shouldn't be anywhere near the White House," Segal said. His comments come after a number of mental health professionals, who have also been critical of Trump, wrote statements claiming he was [suffering from symptoms of dementia](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-dementia-evidence-overwhelming-top-psychiatrist-1881247), while President [Joe Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/joe-biden)—who has faced intense [scrutiny about his age and mental acuity](https://www.newsweek.com/huge-majority-voters-think-biden-too-old-serve-poll-1798907)—was showing normal signs of aging. Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at 40 Wall Street after a pre-trial hearing on March 25, 2024 in New York City. A growi... \| Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/Getty Images They said Trump displayed behavior that typified a "confusion about reality," and argued that he would have to be removed from office as he would become "dangerously unable to fulfill the responsibilities" of president. At the time, a senior adviser to the Trump campaign told *Newsweek* that the former president had "aced" a cognitive test twice and was "willing to take a third test if Joe Biden sits in the same room and takes it at the same time." They said Biden was "clearly suffering from cognitive decline," a claim the president has repeatedly rebuffed. Critics of Trump point to occasions such as him [confusing Barack Obama with Biden](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-mocked-calling-barack-obama-president-speech-richmond-virginia-1875336) and [garbling words](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-campaign-speech-gaffes-errors-mistakes-virginia-north-carolina-1875462). In the interview on Monday, Segal said the examples were "intermittent," usually occurring during rallies at night rather than during interviews in the daytime. "This is something that's been observed in many people suffering from early stages of dementia—and that's called sundowning," he said. He added that because the "slippages" were occasional, Trump often spoke normally, but Segal claimed: "The complexity of his language has changed. "So when he's speaking—what appears to be—coherently, it's almost like he's gumming together phrases that he repeats over and over again. Now, he's always had a tendency to do this, but if you go back, as I have, to looking at interviews in 2016, he was clearly more crisp \[and\] he was more complex than he is now." Segal went on to argue that these two behavioral shifts were something "I'm really afraid of because they always lead to more. So we may not be seeing it every time he speaks, but if he were to be elected, a year from now, how would he be functioning?" *Newsweek* approached the Trump campaign via email for comment on Tuesday. The psychologist stressed that while he may have my own political views, he was basing his claims on the observation of behavior. In a November letter, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, Trump's personal physician, said the former president's "overall health is excellent" and "his [cognitive exams were exceptional](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-doctor-medical-report-health-physician-1845459)." Meanwhile, Biden has also suffered a number of [public gaffes](https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-maui-hawaii-wildfires-officials-names-speech-1821524), which [Republicans have used to imply](https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-was-joe-biden-ruled-mentally-unfit-stand-trial-1870259) Biden is unfit to continue for another term. Already the [oldest U.S. president](https://www.newsweek.com/why-joe-biden-age-problem-donald-trumps-isnt-1784674) in history, Biden would turn 82 weeks after election day; and if elected, he would be 86 by the end of his second term. But the president has brushed off [queries about his physical and mental health](https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-hot-mic-viral-video-north-carolina-factory-visit-1791160), telling a news conference in February that his "memory is fine" and "I know what the hell I'm doing." "If I were concerned about Joe Biden's cognitive abilities, I would be saying it with as much alarm as I am about Trump," Segal said. He added that he was "impressed" by Biden's performance at the State of the Union address at the beginning of March, noting that the president had spoken for around an hour in the evening, and had called out heckles from GOP members of [Congress](https://www.newsweek.com/topic/congress). "You can't do that if you're suffering from major cognitive impairments," Segal said. The psychologist admitted that Biden "does seem a bit frail" and appears "not as crisp as he was, physically or even in his pronunciation of words," but attributed this to his age and long battle with a stammer. "To Americans, Biden looks much older than Trump," Segal said. "But to me, Trump looks like he's faltering in a very dangerous way."