An New York Times artificial intelligence analysis of more than 6,500 clips from Donald Trump’s speeches since last year reveals his rhetoric has grown increasingly profane, less coherent, and more binary compared with his 2016 campaign, raising fresh debate over age and mental stability as he turns eighty.
An evaluation of thousands of speeches, interviews, and social media posts conducted by The New York Times, utilizing data from a Roll Call foundation project tracking speech patterns from 2015 through late October 2026, details a measurable shift in presidential rhetoric during Trump’s second term. Having become the oldest person ever inaugurated as president in January 2025 and turning eighty in June, Trump maintains physical stamina while campaigning across the country ahead of midterm elections, but his remarks have increasingly sparked questions about his cognitive stability.
Statistical Shifts in Rhetoric Since 2015
The review found that Trump used absolute generalizing terms such as always, never, everything, and completely during campaign rallies at a rate nineteen percent higher than a decade ago, and five percent higher than in 2024. Experts note this black-and-white framing frequently accompanies aging or cognitive decline.
Controversial Remarks and White House Defense
The analysis highlights numerous puzzling and aggressive statements made in recent months. In late September inside an unfinished White House event hall, Trump stated he was the only Hispanic person who can survive if you fall off the edge
. He also expressed a desire to block immigrants from Norway because he did not win the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, and declared he cares nothing if people say he prioritizes oil company profits over struggling American workers. Additional remarks include misnaming the Strait of Hormuz as the Strait of Hormones, calling for supporters to cheat like hell in upcoming congressional elections, and asserting that military leakers should be executed by firing squad
.
The president possesses sharp wit, unparalleled energy, relentless work ethic, and extraordinary communication.
Davis Ingle, White House Spokesperson
The White House forcefully rejected any claims of declining performance. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle dismissed concerns regarding provocative statements, stating that the president ignores political correctness to focus on making America great again, while the American public values his honesty, transparency, and effectiveness. Former Republican congressman Francis Rooney of Florida offered a starkly different view, stating that Trump utters an enormous amount of nonsense even by his standards and employs an aggressive, offensive style unlike any president he has ever heard.
Medical Evaluations and Public Confrontations
Medical assessments present a contrasting picture of the president’s health. White House physician Sean Barbafilla reported that Trump maintains cognitive clarity, noting in a three-page summary issued in May that the president achieved a perfect score of 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and describing his cognitive and physical performance as excellent.
Despite the medical clearance, Trump’s public interactions feature frequent displays of open anger and personal attacks. Recently, his focus on the physical details of male figures has drawn notice, targeting Republican senators such as Jon Husted of Ohio and Tim Scott of South Carolina. When a reporter asked last Thursday whether he canceled a trip to Kansas due to travel fatigue, Trump attacked the journalist’s appearance, saying, You’re disgusting! Fix your appearance, you look terrible.