Questions about a president’s fitness for office aren’t new in American politics but lately, more voters appear to be raising them about Donald Trump.
For years, Trump made Joe Biden’s age and verbal missteps a central theme of his campaign messaging. He repeatedly argued that Biden lacked the mental sharpness and stamina required for the presidency, especially after a series of public gaffes fueled concerns within Biden’s own party. Ultimately, Biden chose not to pursue another term.
Now, however, similar scrutiny is being directed at Trump himself.
At 79, Trump is facing growing questions about whether he maintains the focus and steadiness the job demands. Critics have highlighted moments such as verbal mix-ups including referring to Greenland as “Iceland” sharp rebukes of longtime allies, and reports that he appeared disengaged during certain meetings. These incidents have added fuel to an ongoing public debate.
Recent polling suggests that concerns about Trump’s mental acuity and stamina extend beyond partisan lines. According to a Reuters/Ipsos survey released ahead of his State of the Union address, 61% of respondents agreed with the statement that he has “become erratic with age,” including roughly 30% of Republican voters.
The same poll found that 45% of Americans believe Trump is “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” down from 54% in September 2023.
A separate CNN survey indicated that the share of respondents who believe Trump has the “stamina and sharpness to serve effectively” dropped from 53% in late 2023 to 46%. Meanwhile, a Washington Post ABC News Ipsos poll reported that 51% questioned his physical health and 56% doubted his mental sharpness. Both figures represent increases compared with similar measures taken in 2023.
That said, comparisons with past presidents show that age-related concerns are not unique. At a similar stage in his term, Biden faced comparable skepticism in polling on mental sharpness.
The White House has firmly rejected the narrative that Trump is slowing down. Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller told The New Yorker that the president has “more stamina and more energy than a normal mortal,” while a member of the White House medical team reportedly said staff struggle to keep pace with him.
Supporters also point to Trump’s long public appearances, including delivering one of the lengthiest State of the Union addresses on record, as well as his frequent late-night social media activity, as evidence that he remains highly active.
As with many issues in today’s political climate, public opinion remains divided. What is clear, however, is that questions about presidential fitness once aimed squarely at Biden are now part of the broader national conversation surrounding Trump as well.
