President Donald Trump, 79, is displaying signs of cognitive decline similar to those his late father exhibited before his death in 1999, according to his niece Mary Trump, who made the claims during an interview on The Daily Beast Podcast on November 17, 2025.
Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist and daughter of Donald Trump’s late older brother Fred Trump Jr., presented what she called the clearest case she has ever made that the president is showing symptoms resembling those of his father, Fred Trump Sr., who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. The elder Trump was diagnosed with mild senile dementia in 1991, with his physician documenting “obvious memory decline in recent years” and “significant memory impairment.” Fred Sr. later died of pneumonia at age 93 on June 25, 1999.
During the podcast interview with The Daily Beast’s Chief Content Officer Joanna Coles, Mary Trump explained that while she is not a neuropsychologist, her training enables her to assess certain neurological disorders. She described observing specific behavioral patterns in her uncle that mirror those she witnessed in her grandfather during his decline.
“There are times I look at him and I see my grandfather,” Mary Trump said. “I see that same look of confusion. I see that he does not always seem to be oriented to time and place. His short-term memory seems to be deteriorating.”
She also noted that the president’s lifelong impulse-control problems appear to be worsening, adding another layer to her concerns about his cognitive state. Mary Trump described watching Fred Sr.’s decline beginning in the early 1990s, when small lapses escalated into more significant memory loss. The family eventually began spending Easter at Mar-a-Lago to keep him out of public view as his condition deteriorated.
According to Mary Trump, her grandfather eventually stopped recognizing people, including her. She recalled standing with him when he no longer knew who she was, politely asking his eldest daughter Maryanne Trump Barry about the “nice lady” before turning to Maryanne and asking who she was as well.
The psychologist characterized what she described as a “deer in the headlights” look that Fred Sr. often displayed during those years as identical to expressions she now observes in President Trump. She elaborated on what she sees as disturbing signs, suggesting the president sometimes appears uncertain about what he has said or who he is addressing.
Mary Trump’s observations extend beyond memory and orientation issues. She pointed to what she called an increasing obsession with wealth as a pathological symptom, describing the president’s “desperate need to surround himself with these excessively wealthy people” and citing his associations with figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, as well as his involvement with cryptocurrency ventures.
She also suggested that President Trump is battling with his mortality, noting he has repeatedly mused about heaven. She claimed his defense mechanisms around preventing himself and others from knowing the reality about him are weakening, and that his communication style reveals moments where he seems uncertain about his own statements or surroundings.
When asked about how Donald Trump handled his father’s illness, Mary Trump was critical of her uncle’s behavior. She described him as treating Fred Sr. like an annoyance, despite her grandfather never forgetting Donald. According to her account, the president would leave the room or ignore his father, showing no interest in engaging with him during his decline.
Mary Trump is not the only family member to express concerns about the president’s cognitive health. Fred C. Trump III, 61, the president’s nephew, told media last year that he fears a similar path for his uncle, noting that he has observed the president’s decline in parallel with how his grandfather’s deterioration progressed. He stated that claims about dementia not running in the Trump family are simply untrue.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are progressive neurological conditions that affect memory, thinking, and behavior. Family history can be a significant risk factor, though not all individuals with relatives who had dementia will necessarily develop the condition themselves. Cognitive assessments and medical evaluations are typically necessary to diagnose such conditions accurately.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the various claims made by Mary Trump regarding the president’s mental acuity. When approached for comment, Cheung told The Daily Beast that Mary Trump “is a stone-cold loser who doesn’t have a clue about anything.”
The interview comes amid ongoing public discussion about the cognitive health of political leaders, particularly those in advanced age. At 79, President Trump is among the oldest individuals to serve in the office, making questions about mental fitness a topic of continued interest and debate among both critics and supporters.
Mary Trump has been a vocal critic of her uncle throughout his political career, having previously written books critical of him and his family dynamics. Her professional background as a clinical psychologist has lent weight to her observations in the eyes of some, though others dismiss her comments as politically motivated given the family rift.
