By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A new book by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan details President Donald Trump’s private health concerns, which reportedly include chronic venous insufficiency causing swollen ankles and trouble hearing. These issues, coupled with public instances of fatigue and difficulty staying on topic, have led some aides to privately observe signs of aging. The book also highlights Trump’s efforts to conceal these symptoms, such as using makeup for hand bruising and his instruction for his press secretary to address concerns about his ankles.
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It appears that some of Donald Trump’s aides are finally acknowledging what many observers have suspected for a considerable time: the former president is “beginning to seem old.” This newfound observation, reportedly occurring “for the first time,” suggests a shift in perception among those who have worked closely with him, allowing for a more candid admission of his apparent age-related decline.
For those who have been paying attention over the past decade, this revelation might not come as a surprise. Many have felt that the signs of aging have been evident in his public appearances and demeanor for quite some time. The notion that this is the *first* time aides have perceived him as “beginning to seem old” is met with a degree of skepticism, given the widespread discussion and visible indicators that have been present for years.
The sentiment expressed is that the signs have not been subtle. It’s suggested that noticing these indicators doesn’t require exclusive proximity; rather, it’s something readily apparent to anyone with a functional ability to observe. The comparison is drawn to a personal experience, where a father’s initial signs of dementia were noticeable, but without the added gravity of having access to significant power. This implies a deeply concerning trajectory, with some expressing a grim hope for a more rapid decline.
The irony is highlighted when considering the past criticisms leveled against Joe Biden regarding his age, particularly when Trump himself is being discussed in similar terms, albeit from a different perspective. The perception is that Trump’s public persona is often crafted as a robust, almost heroic figure, a stark contrast to the reality that some now perceive. This idealized image, one of a strong, virile leader, is seen as fundamentally at odds with an 80-year-old who may be experiencing significant cognitive and physical challenges.
The idea that this is only the “first time” his aides have noticed his age is met with incredulity. The observation of him appearing to be asleep during public appearances, sometimes with a frequency that is quite striking, is cited as a clear indication that he is no longer in peak condition. This leads to a darkly humorous speculation about how his team might handle his eventual demise, suggesting a “Weekend at Bernie’s” scenario where his condition is concealed.
There’s a sense that the perception of his hair thinning and its color might be part of a larger narrative of his physical state. Even seemingly minor observations, like the elasticity in his socks, are brought up as anecdotal evidence of a general decline. Essentially, the core message is that his aides are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the pretense that he is not, in fact, old. The consensus from some perspectives is that being 80 years old is simply too old to hold the office of President.
Drawing on professional experience, the age of 80 is identified as a significant turning point for many individuals. This is a phase where people either age gracefully with a gradual decline, or they experience a more rapid and noticeable deterioration, often first observed by their families. This perspective suggests that the current situation could be laying the groundwork for invoking the 25th Amendment.
The specific timing of such observations is also brought into focus, with a suggestion that it might be strategically timed to benefit individuals like JD Vance, making him potentially eligible for additional terms in office. This cynical interpretation implies that political calculations are at play, influencing when and how these “revelations” are made public.
The phrase “for the first time” is consistently met with disbelief. Many feel that Trump has been visibly “decomposing in plain sight” for years, and that his current state is a continuation of a long-observed decline. The comparison is made to downplaying serious issues, suggesting that calling him “beginning to seem old” is an understatement, akin to trivializing serious allegations.
The notion that this is a coordinated effort, with gears slowly turning, is present. The idea is that there’s a desire to keep Trump in the political arena until a certain point, perhaps to benefit others within his political sphere. This suggests a complex web of motivations behind the timing of these perceived health concerns.
Some recall that even figures close to him, like Jeffrey Epstein, were reportedly concerned about his cognitive state years ago. This further fuels the skepticism around the “for the first time” narrative, implying that his health issues have been a subject of private concern for a long time. The current “concession” from his aides is seen as an indicator of how serious his health actually is.
The timing is again questioned, with speculation that the focus on his health is intended to reach a point where an alternative, perhaps JD Vance, can step in and benefit politically. This is tied to the idea of waiting until a specific date, February, to maximize such political advantages.
Personal anecdotes are shared, drawing parallels between Trump’s reported experiences and those of aging family members. The experience of memory lapses and a disconnect from the passage of time is highlighted, suggesting that Trump might be experiencing similar cognitive challenges. The argument is made that he appeared old even when he first ran for office, and that his speech has been rambling and incoherent for years, a stark contrast to recordings of him from decades prior.
The recurring phrase “beginning to *seem* old” is interpreted as a euphemism for a more serious condition, with the direct statement “Dude’s dying” being offered as a more blunt assessment. There’s a strong opinion that his age itself is not the primary problem, but rather the underlying health issues that are manifesting.
A call is made for consistent standards in media coverage, arguing that if Biden is scrutinized for his age, then Trump should be held to the same scrutiny. The persistent claim of “for the first time” is dismissed as a fabrication, with the assertion that he has been mentally unwell for over a decade. Even seemingly minor events, like falling asleep on national television, are pointed to as clear signs that have been overlooked or downplayed.
The contrast between the public image promoted by “MAGA influencers” and the perceived reality of Trump’s health is noted, with the suggestion that these influencers are in denial or actively engaged in damage control. A moment of misreading “AIDS” for “age” highlights the potential for serious misinterpretations and the underlying anxieties surrounding his health.
The idea that his aides are only now noticing his age, when events like “shitting his pants daily” have allegedly been occurring, underscores the frustration and disbelief. The repeated use of “beginning” and “seem” is seen as an attempt to soften the reality of his condition.
A humorous, yet telling, anecdote about a grandfather’s sleeping habits is shared, which is then applied to Trump. The difficulty in distinguishing between natural aging and his baseline behavior is acknowledged, as his default state has often appeared somewhat disoriented. The term “necrotizing fasciitis personified” is used to emphasize a perceived rapid physical decay.
The final sentiment reinforces the idea that the aides are significantly behind in their observations, suggesting that they are only now “catching on” to what has been apparent to the public for years, finding the delay embarrassing.