As of: January 23, 2024, 11:47 a.m
By: Franziska Schwarz
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The topic of “fitness” is once again fully present in the US election campaign: Former US President Donald Trump wants to be more capable than his 52-year-old competitor.
Concord – Who remembers Trump's infamous doctor's note?
Shortly before the primaries in New Hampshire, Donald Trump said: "I think I'm much clearer than Haley." Specifically, he said "sharper."
Nikki Haley is his Republican opponent and recently questioned Trump's mental health.
The topic also came up in an interview the former president
gave to Fox News
.
In the conversation, Trump reaffirmed his mental fitness, but in the same breath he apparently forgot what had become of his former personal doctor.
Trump claims Ronny Jackson is “now” working as a doctor in the White House.
Ronny Jackson works as personal physician for President Barack Obama and President Trump, but left the White House job in 2018.
He also resigned as Trump's adviser in 2019.
Since January 2021, Jackson has represented the state of Texas as a member of the House of Representatives.
Trump recognizes misstep in Fox interview – too late
But in the
Fox
interview, Trump continued to talk about “Doc Ronny” and emphasized that he had “actually done two” cognitive tests with this “fantastic” doctor after Haley’s accusations.
But Trump recognized his mistake and quickly added that Jackson was an “admiral” but also “a fantastic congressman from Texas.”
A clip of the
Fox
interview is circulating online:
Trump suggested he immediately take a fitness test against Haley to prove his mental fitness.
“She won’t win, it won’t even be close,” Trump said.
US election 2024: Debate about the age of the candidates for president
How did Haley come up with Trump's "mental fitness"?
Because of a slip-up by Trump.
The ex-president had talked about the storming of the Capitol and confused Haley with the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
“Nikki Haley is in charge of security.
We offered her 10,000 people - soldiers, National Guard, whatever you want - they rejected it," Trump said.
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US election 2024: The election campaign topic “fitness” is playing an increasing role
At 52, Haley is very young in the context of the 2024 US election.
In general, the age of candidates is a recurring issue in election campaigns.
Trump, 77, and other Republicans continue to attack 81-year-old President Joe Biden over his age and raise doubts about the Democratic Party politician's ability to serve a second term.
Already in the run-up to the last US election in 2021, Trump called his competitor “Sleepy Joe” in view of his lack of energy.
According to the New York Post
, Ronny Jackson himself also complained
last summer that Biden was “not mentally or physically fit.”
Donald Trump's ex-doctor therefore demanded a cognitive function test from Biden.
Just which one?
There are many of this kind.
According to media reports, the test that Trump always wants to pass so brilliantly is the MoCA test (“Montreal Cognitive Assessment”).
It is mainly used if dementia is suspected.
At the first peak of the debate - in 2020 -
Zeit Online,
for example, put the MoCa questionnaire online for those interested.
Mentally “sharp”?
Donald Trump campaigning in New Hampshire © Timothy A. Clary/AFP
Trump insists on cognitive excellence and confuses Obama
Trump has often boasted about having passed cognitive tests with “top scores” - but in the current election campaign he often confuses former US President Barack Obama with Biden,
Newsweek reports.
Trump excuses himself by saying he wants to be “sarcastic”.
In the USA, presidents must regularly disclose their health status.
This is not legally required - but it has become a kind of ritual.
And the question of “mental fitness” apparently too.
(frs)