President Donald Trump faced increasing doubts about his stability ahead of delivering the longest State of the Union address in history to a divided audience. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that 61% of Americans believe Trump has “become erratic with age,” with Democrats at 89%, Republicans at 30%, and independents at 64%. This marks a shift from previous polls, where only 45% described Trump as mentally sharp.
The online survey, conducted from Feb. 18 to 23, included 4,638 American adults. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed the poll results as “fake and desperate,” emphasizing Trump’s sharpness, energy, and accessibility compared to former President Joe Biden.
While Trump’s approval rating has seen fluctuations in various surveys, the Reuters/Ipsos poll showed a 2% increase to 40%. Concerns over Trump’s health and stamina have grown, particularly after instances where he appeared to struggle to stay awake in White House meetings and confused Greenland with Iceland at the World Economic Forum.
Despite these concerns, prominent Republicans like White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have defended Trump, calling him a “superhuman president.” Chief of staff Susie Wiles also praised Trump’s work ethic, claiming he works tirelessly and never sleeps.
Looking ahead to the midterm elections, Wiles assured Republicans that Trump would be actively campaigning, emphasizing his ability to mobilize voters. The discourse surrounding Trump’s mental acuity and physical health continues to spark debate and speculation among the public and political circles.
