The “paper of record” is once again peddling questions about the President’s mental health. Something they rarely did under Biden.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The New York Times published a 2000-word article on Monday questioning Donald Trump’s mental acuity, citing his recent Truth Social posts and past statements. The piece, written by long-standing anti-Trump bloviator Peter Baker, claims the President is “even less restrained and more incoherent” in his second term, reviving a longstanding conspiracy theory about his cognitive abilities. 📰 DETAIL: Baker’s article points to examples such as Trump misspeaking about his father being born in Germany (it was actually his grandfather), as well as what appears to be a fabricated story about his uncle, an M.I.T. professor, teaching Unabomber Ted Kacynzski. The piece references Trump’s use of profanity, his lengthy speeches, and what Baker calls “comments rooted in fantasy.” Trump has previously faced scrutiny over his health, including visible bruises and swollen ankles, but has repeatedly asserted that he has passed cognitive tests with high marks. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “President Trump’s sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the past four years.” – White House Spokesman, to Peter Baker. DIG IN: The article relies on the testimony of characters such as Marjorie Taylor-Greene, who the New York Times itself would have once derided as an unreliable kook. 📈 DATA: There is evidence to suggest the narrative is cutting through, however, with a February IPSOS poll showing 61% of respondents think Trump has “become erratic with age.” |
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