Trump 'losing control' as health fears soar - President, 79, issued 'lame duck warning'

Donald Trump’s health is once again under scrutiny as some commentators suggest he may be losing control over the narrative surrounding it. According to New York magazine writer Ben Terris, who interviewed Trump for a January feature, the president doesn’t always follow the healthiest habits he reportedly struggles with diet and consumes enough Diet Coke to fill a football stadium.

Terris told the Today, Explained podcast that while the White House insisted Trump was in excellent health, the president appears to be losing some influence over how the public perceives his well-being. “The way he tries to control the narrative, so to speak, of his health is sort of akin to how he’s trying to control everything. I just feel like he’s sort of losing some of that control,” Terris said. He added that this phenomenon is common among presidents as they approach the end of their terms, though in Trump’s case, it seems to be occurring earlier than usual.

Polling ahead of the mid-term elections has also been cited as evidence of waning public confidence. Terris noted that members of Trump’s inner circle have described him in “completely outrageous” terms, calling him “superhuman” or “the healthiest man alive.” Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio reportedly told Terris that the president seemed “too healthy” during his White House visit.

Speculation about Trump’s health has persisted since he regained the presidency in January last year. While he maintains he is in “perfect” health, observers have pointed to visible signs, such as bruising on his hands which the White House attributes to aspirin use and swollen ankles, which have been linked to chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in older adults.

Questions about Trump’s mental sharpness have also emerged. Opponents have raised concerns after the president appeared to nod off in meetings or speak incoherently during speeches. Trump has consistently dismissed such claims, emphasizing his “very good genetics” and insisting his health is “perfect.”

Trump’s White House physician, Sean Barbabella, issued a memo in October affirming the president’s condition. The note described Trump as being in “exceptional health,” highlighting his strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance.