Donald Trump, 78, recently criticized former President Barack Obama, 63, stating that Obama appears “exhausted” and “looking older.”
These remarks came only hours after Trump himself withdrew from another campaign event, further intensifying speculation about his own age and mental sharpness.
During a campaign rally in Greenville, North Carolina, on Tuesday night, Trump made these comments while attacking Obama, who had been in Detroit alongside Eminem, campaigning in support of Kamala Harris.
Trump remarked, “I’m glad they’re bringing him out. The reason they’re bringing him out – because he doesn’t even want to do it. I think he’s exhausted,” implying that Obama was reluctant to participate in the campaign. Trump further added, “I watched him talking. I think the guy’s exhausted.”
He didn’t stop there, saying, “And I never say a guy’s looking old. But he’s looking a little bit older, isn’t he? You know, there’s nothing wrong with that. But he’s exhausted.”
Additionally, Trump repeatedly insulted Obama, referring to him as “a jerk,” and claimed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un shares this view.
At the same time, in Detroit, Obama made headlines by rapping on stage after being introduced by Eminem, part of their effort to support Harris in the Michigan city—a city Trump has criticized in the past.
Trump’s harsh comments about Obama coincided with his recent string of cancellations from scheduled campaign events, prompting reports that the 78-year-old himself may be feeling “exhausted.”
Before the Greenville rally, Trump was set to participate in a virtual town hall event focused on health, alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and former Democrat Tulsi Gabbard.
However, he abruptly canceled, with his team attributing the decision to “changes in Trump’s schedule.”
This wasn’t the only event Trump backed out of—he also canceled interviews with CNBC’s Squawk Box, The Shade Room podcast, and NBC.
The growing number of canceled or rescheduled events has fueled speculation that Trump may be struggling with fatigue as he faces a tough race against Harris.
However, Trump’s team has strongly denied these claims. His national press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said, “President Trump is running laps around Kamala Harris on the campaign trail. And has done media interviews every day this week. He has more energy and a harder work ethic than anyone in politics.”
Despite these denials, scrutiny over Trump’s age and mental fitness has increased, especially since President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 race.
Previously, Trump’s campaign had used Biden’s age as a criticism, but now they find themselves under the same lens.
If elected, Trump would become the oldest person in U.S. history to assume the presidency.
Concerns about Trump’s cognitive health have also surfaced, with some experts suggesting a decline in his mental faculties. In response, Trump has demanded that Kamala Harris take a cognitive test herself.
Mental health professionals have previously expressed concerns about Trump’s cognitive state.
Dr. Ben Michaelis, a clinical psychologist who has conducted cognitive assessments for the New York Supreme Court, told The Independent that Trump is “really not in a strong cognitive place.” Similarly, Allen Frances, professor emeritus of psychiatry at Duke School of Medicine, said Trump “has deteriorated a great deal.”
Trump, however, claimed he has taken two cognitive tests and “aced” them both.
