Former President Donald Trump’s health has been under increasing scrutiny as the 2024 election approaches. Speculation has grown following public appearances where Trump has been seen with swollen ankles and bruises on his hands. These visible signs, combined with moments of apparent fatigue or confusion, have led some political opponents to suggest that Trump may be suffering from early-stage dementia. Just last week, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker echoed such claims, saying Trump is showing signs of cognitive decline — a sentiment shared by several critics over the past year.
These concerns, however, have been dismissed by Trump’s team, who attribute the hand bruises to his frequent handshakes and the ankle swelling to normal aging. In July, Trump underwent a full medical evaluation conducted by the White House Medical Unit. According to his physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump showed “mild swelling” in his lower legs caused by chronic venous insufficiency — a common, non-serious condition in people over 70. Additional diagnostic tests, including vascular ultrasounds and an echocardiogram, ruled out more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis, heart failure, or kidney disease.
Barbabella confirmed that all test results were within normal limits. Now, Dr. Aseem Malhotra — a British cardiologist and adviser to the health lobbying group Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) — has come forward with a surprising explanation that challenges both the dementia claims and the White House’s official line. Speaking to The Daily Beast, Malhotra said he doesn’t believe Trump has dementia at all. Instead, he suggests that some of Trump’s symptoms may be side effects from medications, specifically statins and aspirin, commonly used for heart and cholesterol management.
“I’ve seen the reports and claims about Trump’s mental health, but in my view, what we’re seeing is more likely a result of medication side effects — not dementia,” Malhotra said. “Statins and aspirin can cause fatigue, brain fog, and even swelling. If I were his personal physician, I’d stop those drugs immediately.” Malhotra also spoke during a live-streamed event at the European Parliament, hosted on the “Make Europe Healthy Again” platform, where he controversially described Trump as “almost superhuman,” but added that these medications could be lowering his energy and shortening his lifespan unnecessarily. He warned that in individuals with no major signs of vascular disease, long-term use of aspirin might pose more risks — such as internal bleeding — than benefits.
Malhotra is no stranger to controversy. His views have been criticized by various medical organizations, including the British Heart Foundation, for spreading health misinformation. Despite that, his theory has reopened debate about Trump’s health, particularly as the former president continues an intense campaign schedule.
As the 2024 election nears, Trump’s physical and mental condition is likely to remain a talking point. Whether Malhotra’s claims will gain broader attention or be dismissed as another fringe theory remains to be seen — but the questions around Trump’s health aren’t going away anytime soon.