Donald Trump is 'genuinely unwell' but claims that he has dementia are unfounded, according to Anthony Scaramucci, who served as his communications director for 10 days during his first term. The former aide urged Trump critics not to underestimate him, even as speculation grows over the president's cognitive and physical health.
Scaramucci dismisses dementia claims
In a post on X, Scaramucci wrote: 'Trump doesn't have dementia, I'll say that clearly. He has a narcissistic personality and the normal infirmities you'd expect at 80. But he's a fairly vigorous, fairly healthy 80. Don't underestimate him.'
The US leader has been at the centre of growing health concerns in recent months, linked to instances of apparent memory loss, sleeping in public, and bodily bruising and swelling. However, Scaramucci dismissed claims of cognitive impairment, suggesting Trump is 'unwell' in other ways.
Incendiary comments as evidence of being unwell
The financier and broadcaster pointed to Mr Trump's incendiary public comments as evidence that he is 'genuinely unwell'. 'He's making statements that are nowhere near what a world leader should be saying,' Scaramucci continued. 'Threatening the death and destruction of an entire civilisation on social media is a war crime ... Imagine any other world leader saying anything close to that. It would never happen in the first place and if it did, their own party would remove them within hours.'
Social media commentators argued back that the US leader 'is very medicated and exhibits many symptoms of dementia' alongside 'physical decline'. Mr Scaramucci responded: 'You may be right. I am not a doctor. I am just saying don't underestimate him.'
Trump's team defends his health
Mr Trump's team have vehemently denounced any and all speculation about his health, insisting he remains in a 'perfect' condition. Physicians sounded the alarm over a medical report released by the administration last month, suggesting it lacked the normal amount of detail and represented a 'filtered narrative'. But communications director Steven Cheung hit back at the comments, responding: 'President Trump has publicly released more detailed information about his health than any other president in history - showing he is in excellent health.'
Scaramucci, who was ousted from the White House in 2017 following a public spat with his colleagues, has become increasingly critical of the US leader in the years since.
