Concerns are growing among experts about Donald Trump’s mental sharpness and age as discussions swirl over whether he might attempt to seek a third presidential term something that is currently forbidden by the U.S. Constitution.
In recent interviews, the 79-year-old president has sent mixed signals about his political future. Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press in May, Trump said, “I’ll be an eight-year president, I’ll be a two-term president. I always thought that was very important.”
However, just months later in August, he told CNBC’s Squawk Box that he would “probably not” run again before adding, “I’d like to run... I have the best poll numbers I’ve ever had.”
Back in March, Trump hinted that there might be “methods” for pursuing another four years in office, telling NBC he was “not joking” about the idea. “A lot of people want me to do it,” he added.
If Trump were to serve another term, he would be 82 by the 2028 election and 86 by the end of that potential presidency.
Expert’s View: Age and Mental Health Concerns
Dr. Narinder Kapur, a consultant neuropsychologist and visiting professor at University College London (UCL), told the Daily Express that Trump’s talk of a third term is “not realistic” under current laws and raises serious age-related concerns.
“I would be very reluctant for someone who is 83 years old to be running for president,” Dr. Kapur said. “At that age, cognitive decline and fatigue are almost inevitable, even for those in good health.”
He noted that while some individuals known as “super-agers” maintain sharp mental faculties well into their 80s, Trump’s recent public slips suggest otherwise.
“We’ve seen a rise in his exaggerations and factual errors in recent months,” Dr. Kapur observed. “For example, confusing Alaska with Russia before meeting Vladimir Putin. If this trend continues, it could become a serious concern.”
The neuropsychologist added that although Trump could claim to be a “super-ager,” the growing number of mental lapses indicates a decline in cognitive precision.
Constitutional Roadblock
Even if Trump wished to run again, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution clearly states:
“No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice.”
This amendment, ratified in 1951, was designed to prevent any one person from holding excessive power for too long. For Trump to run for a third term, a constitutional amendment would need to be passed and ratified by three-fourths of U.S. states, an almost impossible political feat in the current divided climate.
The Bottom Line
While Donald Trump remains a dominant figure in American politics, experts like Dr. Kapur believe that age and mental health could become major obstacles if he were to consider another run.
As the 2028 election cycle approaches, these discussions will likely intensify raising broader questions about age limits for presidents and whether the U.S. should reconsider its leadership eligibility standards in an era where both major candidates are approaching or surpassing 80.
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