As Donald Trump turns 80, he faces a foe he can never defeat: Father Time – experts warn of growing global risks
US President Donald Trump celebrates his 80th birthday on Sunday, but experts express alarm over his declining judgment and behavior, which they say pose increasing dangers to world security.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump turns 80, becoming the oldest president ever sworn into office. However, rather than bringing wisdom or reflection, his age appears to amplify his volatile temperament and raise concerns about his fitness to lead, according to multiple commentators cited in a recent analysis.
Trump plans to mark his birthday with a night of cage fighting on the White House south lawn, part of events for the 250th anniversary of US independence. Behind the spectacle, however, are growing worries. A Reuters/Ipsos poll in February found 61% of Americans believe Trump has become more erratic with age, and an April survey showed a majority concerned about his mental sharpness.
Physical signs of decline are increasingly visible. Trump has been photographed with bruised hands and swollen ankles, and he now sees 22 medical specialists – a new record for US presidents. His public calendar has become sparse, dominated by "executive time" and private meetings. He has been caught on camera nodding off at public events, including an NBA finals game at Madison Square Garden. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle insists Trump is "the sharpest and most accessible president in American history," but critics dismiss such spin.
Former Republican communications director Tara Setmayer said Trump shows daily signs of fatigue, irritability, and rage tantrums. Political commentator Kurt Bardella argued that hiding his aging is a sign of weakness, adding that the White House's attempts to deny reality are insulting and breed mistrust.
Particularly alarming was Trump's recent appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" with journalist Kristen Welker. When fact-checked on false election claims, Trump became enraged, called Welker "crooked" or "stupid," and abruptly ended the interview. Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said he watched the broadcast with genuine alarm, fearing Trump might have a heart attack.
Trump biographer Gwenda Blair noted that age has not brought grace or perspective to Trump; instead he doubles down on selfish behavior. Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota, warned that Trump's recklessness, impulsiveness, and detachment from reality are accelerating with age, making him an even more dangerous president and setting the stage for a frightening two years for America and the world.
