President Donald Trump has dismissed recent reports questioning his health and cognitive abilities as “seditious, perhaps even treasonous,” asserting that he is in excellent physical condition and capable of carrying out his duties.
Trump, who will become the oldest U.S. President in history if he completes a second term, made the comments in a nearly 500-word post on his social media platform Truth Social late Tuesday. The post comes after media coverage highlighted a perceived reduction in his domestic travel and public appearances, as well as moments in which Trump appeared to doze off during White House events.
“After all of the work I have done with Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious…for The New York Times, and others, to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean ‘THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,’” Trump wrote. He emphasized that he recently underwent multiple health screenings, including an MRI described by the White House as preventive, and that he “aced” a cognitive exam.
Trump defended the rigor of his evaluations, saying he undergoes “long, thorough, and very boring Medical Examinations at the Great Walter Reed National Military Medical Center” under the supervision of top doctors, who he claimed awarded him “PERFECT Marks.” He added that these assessments reflect his commitment to the country.
The President also attacked The New York Times, recalling instances where the newspaper was “forced to apologize” for past reporting on his 2024 campaign. He is currently suing the Times and three of its reporters for alleged defamation, a case the newspaper says “has no merit.”
“The best thing that could happen to this Country would be if The New York Times would cease publication because they are a horrible, biased, and untruthful ‘source’ of information,” Trump wrote. He has previously used the term “treasonous” to describe the Times, including in 2018 following the publication of an anonymous op-ed by an Administration official claiming to resist his policies.
The Times responded to the latest post, defending its reporting. A spokesperson said, “Americans deserve in-depth reporting and regular updates about the health of the leaders they elect. Mr. Trump welcomed our reporting on the age and fitness of his predecessors; we’re applying the same journalistic scrutiny to his vitality.” The spokesperson added that coverage was “heavily sourced” from interviews with individuals close to the President and medical experts.
Trump’s criticism of the media is consistent with his broader pattern of disputes with news outlets. During his administration, he targeted networks such as ABC and CBS, sued the Wall Street Journal over reporting on his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, and reduced funding for public broadcasting. He has also accused political opponents, including Democratic lawmakers and former President Barack Obama, of seditious behavior.
The dispute underscores ongoing tensions between Trump and major media organizations as he faces scrutiny over his fitness to serve another term in the White House.
