Donald Trump’s Health: A Ticking Time Bomb in His Second Term
Donald Trump is in his second term as president, but questions about his ability to finish it are louder than ever. His physical and mental health, on display daily, raise serious concerns about his fitness for office and his chances of surviving another four years.
Physical Health Problems
Trump has documented coronary artery disease. His coronary calcium score rose from 34 in 2009 to 133 in 2018—clear evidence of plaque buildup in his arteries. That puts him at elevated risk for a heart attack or stroke. CNN
He has also battled obesity. In 2019 he weighed 243 pounds (clinically obese), though his 2025 memo listed 224 pounds, putting him in the “overweight” category. This still leaves him vulnerable to metabolic issues. Politico CNN
More recently, the White House admitted he has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where veins in the legs don’t circulate blood well. It’s uncomfortable and adds to his overall vascular risk. New York Times
His diet makes matters worse. Trump is famous for eating fast food daily—Big Macs, KFC, and Diet Cokes. One dietitian said his routine “raises risk of premature death” because it’s high in saturated fat, sodium, and processed meat, and almost devoid of vegetables. VegNews
And he avoids exercise, once claiming that physical activity drains the body’s “battery.” That belief has left him deconditioned, with fewer protections against disease. New Yorker
Mental and Cognitive Concerns
Trump passed a short Montreal Cognitive Assessment in 2025, but that test only rules out severe impairment. Observers at his rallies and interviews note frequent digressions, repetition, and confusion. He often loses track mid-sentence and veers into unrelated tangents. New York Times
Journalists like Anne Applebaum have pointed out his incoherence compared to earlier decades when he could at least form complete arguments. Today, he rambles about windmills, faucets, or imaginary anecdotes, often forgetting names or events. The Atlantic
Experts such as Cornell psychologist Harry Segal have gone further, noting symptoms like phonemic paraphasia (starting words and failing to finish them) and gait changes. These are consistent with possible early dementia, though no formal diagnosis exists. The Guardian
Chances of Finishing Four More Years
According to Social Security life tables, a typical 79-year-old American male has about a 77% chance of living to age 83. But Trump’s documented heart disease, weight history, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyle raise his personal risk significantly. SSA
He has a family history of Alzheimer’s disease—his father died with it—which adds to the concerns about cognitive decline. Washington Post
Simply put: Trump may statistically survive four more years, but the odds of a major health crisis or accelerating mental decline are much higher than for the average man his age.
Conclusion
Trump’s health is no longer a punchline—it’s a matter of national stability. Physically, he carries the weight of decades of bad choices. Mentally, his public appearances reveal a man struggling to stay coherent. Together, these factors make it doubtful he can serve out his second term without serious incidents. America deserves honesty about the risks of keeping someone with this profile in the Oval Office.
Sources:
New York Times – July 2025 memo
New Yorker – Trump and exercise
New York Times – speech analysis
The Atlantic – incoherent speeches
The Guardian – dementia signs coverage
Social Security – life expectancy tables