Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stated on CNN that he believes President Donald Trump has dementia, sparking a new round of debate over the 80-year-old president's mental fitness. The remarks came during an interview with Kaitlan Collins on her show The Source on July 2, 2026.
Pritzker's Assessment
Collins directly asked Pritzker: "Do you think the president has dementia?" Pritzker replied, "I do." He elaborated, "I think if you look at any of the videos from 2015 or 2016 and look at how he responded to questions and how he was at press conferences, and then you fast forward and look at him now, I really think that there's something genuinely wrong with him." He added, "I'm not a doctor, I haven't diagnosed anything. I'm just suggesting to you that just look at the way he puts words and sentences together and thoughts, and they're almost divergent in the same sentences."
Trump's Recent Remarks
Pritzker's comments followed a bizarre joke Trump made on July 1 at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in North Dakota. Referring to the only father-son pair to receive the Congressional Medal of Honour, Trump said: "As I see my two beautiful sons sitting there, I think I'm going to give one to myself, one to them and we'll have a threesome, ok." He continued, "I'll pick out one of the two, I'll give them the Congressional Medal of Honour for something - for their genius at hunting, and I'll get one for taking on Russia, Russia, Russia."
Family Concerns
Trump's niece, psychologist and author Mary Trump, has also publicly questioned his health. On June 23, she issued a stark warning in her weekly newsletter, claiming his condition is deteriorating both mentally and physically. She wrote that his "decaying" health can no longer be overlooked and suggested he is trapped in a "downward spiral." Referring to his erratic conduct, late-night social media activity, and the faltering Iran peace deal, she stated: "He may still have moments when he appears more coherent, but psychologically he's in a downward spiral. He's experiencing constant narcissistic injuries, and nothing terrifies Donald more than humiliation."
White House Response
The White House has rejected suggestions that the president is suffering from declining health. Following a recent medical examination at Walter Reed Medical Centre, Trump was declared "fully fit" to serve. Spokesman Steven Cheung dismissed Mary Trump's claims as baseless.
