Psychiatrists and mental health experts are asking that a rule be made that any presidential candidate over the age of 75 have a "comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation" to ensure that he or she is fit to serve in office.
The working group, known as "Duty to Warn," collaborated in 2017 on a book that walked through the mental and cognitive health of then-President Donald Trump and the dangers he posed to the United States.
There is a rule against diagnosing public figures. In the case of Trump, the "Duty to Warn" group was so-named because it is part of the A.P.A.'s ethics rules if someone is a danger to themselves or others.
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"We believe it is advisable that presidential candidates above the age of 75 submit to a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation before running for office," the working group said in a statement. "This policy ensures that individuals seeking this profoundly impactful position possess the cognitive and emotional capacities necessary to navigate the rigors of leadership, make sound decisions under pressure, and effectively manage the nation's affairs."
The statement explained that normal aging in adults follows cognitive changes, but they should not be confused with dementia.
"In fact, many aspects of cognitive function, such as vocabulary, accumulated knowledge, and wisdom, often remain stable or even improve with age," the statement continued. "Healthy older adults in their 70s and 80s can continue to learn new skills and adapt to new situations, regardless of their age. Our observations of the current president's speech and behavior suggest his presentation fits within the parameters of normal aging We do see several worrisome signs in the GOP candidate's cognitive presentation that are consistent with what appears to be an advancing disease process that is outside the bounds of normal aging."
The group has been observing Trump for some time, so it isn't shocking that they believe he is in the process of dementia.
"The manifestation of phonic paraphasias, semantic aphasias, confusion, 'word salads' and tangentiality raise the suspicion of an underlying neurological condition consistent with a dementia process," the mental health experts said. 'These symptoms, emerging in the context of substantial psychological stress from ongoing legal and financial scrutiny and obligations, along with a decrease in adoration and public influence (notably, on an international level), contribute to a complex diagnostic picture."
This comes as part of ongoing accusations that Trump has his own "malignant narcissism" and has grown "increasingly paranoid." It is part of an ongoing decline, the statement said.
"The gravity of entrusting national leadership to someone potentially facing advanced cognitive and personality challenges must be done with the utmost of care," they encouraged. "Individuals with dementia struggle with deficits in executive functioning (which includes problem solving and planning) and a deterioration in judgment, which would impact their ability to assess rapidly unfolding situations and understand consequences of their decisions and actions."
They said that the recommendation is that both candidates undergo comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation.
Trump claimed he took a cognitive exam in 2020, but internet sleuths explained what the test was and that it didn't match the tests given for a comprehensive analysis. Instead, the "The Montreal Cognitive Assessment" test is given to monitor changes over time.
Four years after taking the test, Trump still brags about his success. That test is not what the experts are asking Trump and President Joe Biden to take.
In Sept. 2023, Trump posted on social media, "I will name the place and the test, and it will be a tough one. Nobody will come even close to me! We can also throw some physical activity into it."
Trump once reported getting a clean bill of health from his personal doctor, which was so glowing that some questioned if Trump himself wrote it.