Amid speculations about the health of US President Donald Trump, a leading journalist has posed six questions about the President’s health, while stating he was not conspiracist and “there was enough smoke coming from the White House to warrant at least a major story in a major outlet investigating whether there’s fire.”
The former editor of Politico, Garett Graff, has put forth six pressing questions about Donald Trump’s health in his blog Doomsday Scenario.
He mentions that group chats around Washington list up on Sunday with a 31-tweet-long thread by a crypto investor named Adam Cochran, who claimed Trump was in ill health. He also noted how the Press was kept 100 yards from the president on Monday. Graff also cited the “awkward” interview given by vice-president J D Vance to whether he was ready to be the president if needed. “I’ve gotten a good on-the-job training over the last 200 days.”
Graff, in his column, puts forth six reasons for questioning Trump’s health.
1) The bruised hands: While the White House claims the bruises came from the frequent shaking of hands, Graff claims there’s reason to believe there’s more to it than that. “The bruising isn’t limited to his dominant handshaking hand; it also has been a regularly recurring phenomenon of the last year,” he states, adding that White House physician Sean Barbabella’s dismissal of the issue raises questions.
2) Change in pattern: Graff says there is a change in Trump’s pattern. The President, known for most habit-bound behaviour, has had changes in his lifestyle. He cites how Trump, who takes off for one of his golf resorts every weekend, chose to spend an extra-long holiday weekend hanging out at the White House. Graff questions whether this is because his medical team wants him close to a top medical facility. Trump was also seen not wearing a tie, a rarity while sitting at his desk.
3) Trump’s lies: Trump is known for his bald-faced lies and exaggerations, and much of what passes for health information from Trump is laughably exaggerated. Like with many things, Trump lies about things whether they matter or not, Graff states, referencing how Trump went to Walter Reed hospital unexpectedly in his first presidency and how he downplayed the seriousness of his COVID-19 affliction in 2020.
4) Diminished capacity: Trump has been less coherent and clear in his syntax and verbal flubs than he was, the editor states. He also regularly appears to be struggling to stay awake in meetings, Graff argues.
5) Swollen Ankles: Trump’s ankles looked swollen and unhealthy, and with the bruised hands. Though the White House claimed it was chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a leg vein issue, Graff argues that the explanation given by the White House, only after multiple questions, hints that it won’t willingly and preemptively release new information or developments about Trump’s health without public pressure.
6) The Biden factor: Graff states how Joe Biden was hounded from office for being too old, but Trump is now the oldest person ever to take the oath. He was 78 years, 220 days of age, at his inauguration, four months older than Biden was.