Donald Trump celebrated his 80th birthday yesterday, drawing praise and emotional messages from Republican politicians and MAGA supporters.

However, Trump critics have also expressed serious doubts about his fitness, with some raising concerns about his recent public behavior and irregular sleep patterns.

The issue has especially become a topic of debate among lawmakers, who recently grilled Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Trump’s health.

Critics Question Donald Trump’s Fitness After Birthday Spectacle

Trump officially reached 80 yesterday and celebrated in grand style, turning the South Lawn of the White House into an open-air arena for a historic UFC event. To double the celebration, he also announced that a deal had been reached with Iran, bringing an end to the months-long war that had ravaged the Middle East.

Yet, the milestone appears to have also brought renewed scrutiny over his fitness to serve as president of the United States. Despite his forceful public persona, critics have suggested that there is one thing Trump cannot outdo or sidestep… aging. Now that he has become an octogenarian, some argue that time may be taking a visible toll on him.

“Donald Trump has been showing signs of his age for quite some time,” former Republican communications director on Capitol Hill, Tara Setmayer, said, per The Guardian. “It’s on display almost daily as he struggles to stay awake during official meetings, he is more irritable and going on rage tangents and throwing temper tantrums when he doesn’t get his way. These are not signs of a well-adjusted adult approaching 80 years old.”

Trump’s Walter Reed Visit Adds To Health Questions

Over the past few months, Trump has left many with raised eyebrows after being caught appearing to struggle to stay awake during several high-level meetings. He recently went viral for appearing to fall asleep in his reserved booth during Game 3 of the NBA Finals between the now-crowned champions, the New York Knicks, and the San Antonio Spurs.

More so, he has kept several medical appointments, including one on May 26, when he spent three hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where 22 specialists reportedly saw him.

Donald Trump’s Health Questions Grow Amid Visible Bruising

As if that were not enough, Trump has also appeared with bruises and swelling on parts of his body, leaving many to speculate about the nature of the marks. Although he continues to brush off concerns and has boasted about acing cognitive tests that he claims would have left former presidents struggling, many critics remain adamant that he is showing signs of aging and that his attempt to appear unbothered is falling flat.

According to the Guardian report, former congressional aide Kurt Bardella said he would have “more confidence in Trump as commander-in-chief” if the president admitted it rather than trying to fight or hide it.

“Hiding it is a sign of weakness. Being transparent, forthright, and honest about it would actually be a sign of strength,” Bardella said.

He added, “The fact that the White House seems to be going to all these ridiculous and laughable measures to try to convince us that he’s not actually aging is insulting to the American people, it’s idiotic, it reeks of desperation, and it makes everyone believe that there’s more going on than meets the eye. And what meets the eye isn’t that great. Secrecy breeds mistrust.”

Biden Comparisons Resurface In Donald Trump Fitness Debate

Many are increasingly drawing a parallel between the current situation and that of former President Joe Biden, whom Trump often mocked as “Sleepy Joe” at the time due to concerns about his age and stamina.

White House officials during Biden’s presidency were accused of covering up his declining abilities, especially after the debate outing that forced him to reconsider his reelection bid.

However, Trump’s critics argue that the two situations are not the same, claiming that his recent public remarks and moments of cognitive incoherence appear to be of greater magnitude than what Biden displayed in his final stretch in office.

The billionaire politician has gone off on several unconsidered ramblings, including remarks such as “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,” “I don’t care about the midterms,” and “I love the inflation.” Critics argue that Biden did not make similar comments during his time in office.

Medical Experts Note Age Affects People Differently

Scholars at John Hopkins Medicine suggest that at age 80, some people become frail and more prone to illness, while others remain very active.

Research from Harvard Health also shows that the brain shrinks in volume and weight by about 5% every decade after age 40, with the process accelerating after 70 and leading to reduced cognitive abilities in many.

However, there are exceptions, with some 80-year-olds remaining sharp and retaining strong mental acuity, especially when they have had access to quality healthcare and lived a healthy lifestyle.

Steven Austad, a professor at the University of Alabama and an expert on aging, said turning 80 now cannot be compared to what it once meant.

“80 isn’t what it used to be,” Austad said, per USA Today, adding that the main question is,
What kind of 80-year-old are you?”