The Daily Beast Podcast Trump Mental Decline Is Accelerating: Psychologist
10 snips
Dec 22, 2025 Dr. John Gartner, a clinical psychologist and former Johns Hopkins professor, analyzes Donald Trump's recent speech, revealing alarming signs of hypomania and advancing dementia. He discusses how Trump's erratic behavior, impulsive decisions, and malignant narcissism are increasingly visible. Gartner warns of the dangers of unchecked power and offers a stark prediction for the future. He shares insights on Trump's family dynamics and the impact of chronic sleep deprivation on cognitive decline, painting a concerning picture of a leader on the edge.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Manic Speaking Pace Signals Change
- John D. Gartner observed Trump spoke at roughly double his normal speed, signaling a mental-status change.
- He linked that manic pace to hypomania triggered by anxiety about declining polls.
Hypomania Explains Nighttime Flares
- Gartner framed Trump as on the bipolar spectrum, typically hypomanic rather than fully manic.
- He used massive late-night Truth Social output as evidence of that bipolar pattern.
Three Types Of Trump's Falsehoods
- Gartner distinguished three types of Trump's falsehoods: deliberate lies, self-delusions, and dementia-driven confabulations.
- He used the Unabomber/uncle story as an example of confabulation from memory gaps.