Trump's Mental Health Under Scrutiny Amid Controversy, Deemed Unhealthy to Insane
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The behaviour of United States President Donald Trump is once again under sharp scrutiny following a series of extreme and erratic statements that have triggered widespread debate about his mental condition. In recent weeks, Trump has issued threats to “wipe Iran off the map” and attacked the leader of the Catholic Church, raising concerns across the political spectrum.
Trump’s statements are increasingly seen as difficult to follow, incoherent, and often aggressive in tone. One of the most attention-grabbing was his threat that “the entire civilisation will die tonight” if the conflict escalates.
These remarks have reinforced perceptions among some that his communication style has gone beyond typical political rhetoric. The president’s mental health is now in the spotlight.
So, is Trump’s mental condition truly “problematic”?
The White House has denied the allegations. Presidential spokesperson Davis Ingle affirmed that Trump remains in prime condition.
“The sharpness of President Trump, his unmatched energy, and his historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we’ve seen over the past four years,” he said, as quoted by the New York Times on Wednesday (15/4/2026).
Unhealthy to Insane
However, criticism has come not only from the opposition but also from conservative circles and former allies. Former Republican House member Marjorie Taylor Greene described the threats against Iran as more than just tough rhetoric.
“That’s not tough rhetoric; it’s madness,” she told CNN International.
Concerns have also come from former White House insider Ty Cobb, who once served as Trump’s lawyer. He called him “a man who is clearly insane”.
Former press secretary Stephanie Grisham echoed similar sentiments, stating that Trump is “clearly unwell”.
On the other side, the Democratic Party is again pushing for the use of the 25th Amendment to remove the president if deemed unfit to perform his duties. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump “a very sick man”, while Hakeem Jeffries described the president as “unhinged and out of control”.
Even Jamie Raskin has requested an official medical evaluation of Trump. In his letter, he highlighted “signs consistent with cognitive decline” as well as increasingly “incoherent and threatening” behaviour.
Political Strategy?
Nevertheless, Trump’s supporters view this behaviour as a political strategy. Columnist Liz Peek said Trump “knows exactly what he’s doing” and uses extreme pressure as part of his diplomatic approach.
Trump himself responded to the criticism with strong statements on social media. He called his critics “low IQ” and accused them of being “crazy people” seeking cheap publicity.
It should be noted that survey data shows public concern continues to rise. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in February recorded that 61% of US citizens view Trump as increasingly unstable with age, while only 45% consider him mentally sharp. This is down from 54% in 2023.
The debate over the president’s mental health is not new in US history. Figures like Abraham Lincoln to Ronald Reagan have faced similar speculations.