NYT: "President Trump Showing Signs of Frailty"
White House: "President's Health Remains Excellent"
There has been analysis suggesting that the official schedule times for U.S. President Donald Trump have become shorter, following recent public appearances in which he appeared to doze off. Observers are questioning whether President Trump, who previously mocked former President Joe Biden as "Sleepy Joe" and projected an "Energizer"-like image, is now facing the effects of aging.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on November 25 (local time) that while President Trump continues to post on social media and interact combatively with reporters to display his energy, he has recently shown signs of frailty.
President Donald Trump signing a bill in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington. Photo by AP Yonhap News.
Recently, during an event in the White House Oval Office announcing a reduction in obesity drug prices, President Trump was seen with his eyes nearly closed. He appeared to nod off briefly, occasionally opening his eyes to look at the reporters observing him.
President Trump, who was the oldest president at the time of his inauguration, has seen both the number and duration of his official engagements decrease. According to the NYT's tally, President Trump participated in 1,029 official events from his second inauguration on January 20 of this year through the present day. In comparison, during the equivalent period after his first inauguration-from January 20 to November 25, 2017-he attended 1,688 official events, a decrease of 39%.
The duration of official events has also shortened. According to an analysis of the official presidential schedule by the political information site Roll Call, the average start time for President Trump's official events in the first year of his first term in 2017 was 10:31 a.m. In his second term, the average start time is 12:08 p.m. The end time for events remains similar in both 2017 and this year, just after 5:00 p.m.
The NYT also analyzed that President Trump's domestic travel within the United States has decreased significantly this year compared to 2017, while his overseas trips have increased substantially. This year, he has made eight overseas trips, double the four trips he took in 2017.
There are also concerns being raised about President Trump's health management. He is known to avoid regular exercise, believing that humans are born with a finite amount of energy and that strenuous activity can deplete this reserve. He is also known for his fondness for red meat and McDonald's.
The NYT noted, "President Trump has attacked his predecessor, Joe Biden-who is 3.5 years older than him-over his age during last year's election, but he himself has not been immune to aging." Trump has called former President Biden "Sleepy Joe," citing his age and lack of stamina. Even last week, President Trump mocked Biden, saying, "He is always sleeping. During the day, at night, even on the beach," and added, "I don't sleep."
Whether President Trump chooses to make his health status public is entirely up to him. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about President Trump's health, referenced former President Biden and emphasized that Trump is healthy. In a statement, Leavitt said, "Unlike the Biden White House, which hid Joe Biden's cognitive decline from the media, President Trump and his entire team have been transparent about the president's health, and the president remains in excellent health."
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