By Matt Underwood Jeffrey Epstein, the notorious financier and convicted sex offender, apparently believed that Donald Trump was exhibiting signs of dementia in 2017, according to emails that have recently come to light. These emails suggest that some individuals who attended a dinner with Trump that year expressed concerns about his cognitive state. Epstein’s written observation noted, “Some at dinner last night were concerned about dementia. Tons of makeup. Did not recognize old friends.” This detail paints a picture of worry and potential decline being perceived by those in Trump’s orbit.
The relationship between Epstein and Trump, while perhaps not widely publicized by Trump himself, has a history. As far back as 2002, Trump spoke favorably of Epstein in a *New York Magazine* interview, describing him as a “terrific guy” and someone he had known for fifteen years. Trump even commented on their shared appreciation for attractive women, some of whom were younger. This past association lends a certain weight to Epstein’s later observations about Trump’s mental condition.
It’s worth noting that Epstein isn’t the only figure to have voiced concerns about potential cognitive issues regarding Trump, who was 79 at the time of the 2017 dinner. The former White House chief strategist, Steve Bannon, also allegedly harbored similar beliefs. According to Ira Rosen’s book, *Ticking Clock*, Bannon reportedly thought Trump had “early stage dementia.” The book elaborates on Bannon’s alleged observations, stating that Trump had a lack of attention span, didn’t read, and wouldn’t listen, often repeating himself within short intervals. While Bannon has since denied these claims, the repeated mentions of dementia concerns from different individuals within Trump’s broader circle are certainly noteworthy.
Furthermore, the narrative of potential cognitive decline has extended to family members as well. In 2024, Fred C. Trump III, Donald Trump’s nephew, reportedly told PEOPLE that his uncle’s recent behavior reminded him of other Trumps who had faced cognitive health challenges, specifically mentioning his late sister and father. Fred C. Trump III expressed his belief that dementia had indeed run in the family, stating, “If anyone wants to believe that dementia did not run in the Trump family, it’s just not true.” The Trump campaign, at the time of that interview, dismissed these comments as “completely fabricated and total fake news,” but the assertion from within the family itself adds another layer to the discussions surrounding Trump’s mental state.
The timing of Epstein’s email, late 2017, aligns with when rumors of “deterioration” began to surface from within the West Wing. If Epstein was indeed receiving this information from Trump’s inner circle at that point, it could potentially explain the whispers about invoking the 25th Amendment that have been reported over the years. The idea that people within Trump’s government were concerned enough to consider such drastic measures, based on perceived cognitive issues, is a significant point.
The assertion that Trump has friends is, for some, a point of contention in itself, with the idea that wealthy individuals often have associates rather than true friends. However, putting that aside, the documented concerns from different quarters, including Epstein and potentially Bannon, do raise questions about Trump’s mental fitness during his presidency. The fact that Epstein, a figure whose own dealings were often shrouded in secrecy and controversy, was making such observations about a sitting president is particularly striking.
The notion of dementia progressing over time, especially in the elderly, is a well-understood medical reality. If Trump was exhibiting signs in 2017, the concern would logically only intensify with the passage of time. The availability of reliable tests for various forms of dementia remains a challenge for medical science, making definitive diagnoses, especially from afar, difficult. Yet, the consistency of observations, even if anecdotal, from seemingly disparate sources can paint a compelling picture.
The complexity of Trump’s past association with Epstein, particularly the revelation that Trump knew Epstein was allegedly recruiting girls from Mar-a-Lago and still maintained a friendship, further complicates the narrative. Trump’s later claims that this was the reason their friendship ended, if untrue, suggests a deeper, possibly more complicit, connection, raising more questions about judgment and awareness. The interwoven nature of these individuals and their alleged activities continues to be a subject of scrutiny.