Trump Rips NYT Reporter Over Story About Age: 'Ugly'
President Donald J. Trump speaks on the phone in the Oval Office Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
President Donald Trump reportedly erupted on social media after a recent New York Times article suggested his age is catching up with him, pointing to a lighter public schedule and moments of visible fatigue. The 79-year-old commander in chief, the oldest ever elected to the presidency, fired back with a blistering post on Truth Social, dismissing the report as a "hit piece" from "Radical Left Lunatics" and boasting about a "perfect physical exam and a comprehensive cognitive test" he recently aced, as reported by POLITICO. But beneath the surface of this clash lies a deeper battle over media narratives, presidential image, and the realities of aging in the highest office.
A Shrinking Schedule and Signs of Fatigue
The New York Times article reportedly detailed how Trump's second term differs markedly from his first, highlighting a 39% drop in public appearances. According to the Times' analysis, Trump has held 1,029 official events in the first ten months of his current term, compared to 1,688 during the same period in his first presidency. His daily schedule has shifted later, with events now typically starting just after noon and ending around 5 p.m., whereas in 2017, his appearances began closer to 10:30 a.m. on average. The report also noted an incident in October when Trump appeared to nod off during a meeting in the Oval Office, raising eyebrows about his stamina.
Further scrutiny came from a Washington Post analysis that showed Trump struggling to keep his eyes open for about 20 minutes during a recent press conference, as reported by USA Today. This moment of visible fatigue occurred while discussing a deal to lower the cost of weight-loss drugs, adding fuel to the ongoing debate about his physical and cognitive fitness.
Trump's Fiery Rebuttal
Trump's response was swift and scathing. On his Truth Social platform, he accused The New York Times of publishing a deliberately negative story, calling the paper "soon to fold" and labeling its journalists "Radical Left Lunatics," as reported by The Daily Beast. He insisted the report was false, pointing to his recent medical checkup as proof of his vitality. "There will be a day when I run low on Energy, it happens to everyone, but with a PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST ('That was aced') JUST RECENTLY TAKEN, it certainly is not now!"
The president also took aim at Katie Rogers, one of the reporters behind the Times story, calling her "a third rate reporter who is ugly, both inside and out," as reported by The Daily Beast. He claimed to have his "highest Poll Numbers, ever," and said that record investments in America should silence critics, though this remains his assertion rather than an independently verified fact.
The Times Stands Firm
The New York Times did not back down. Charlie Stadtlander, a spokesperson for the paper, defended the reporting as "accurate and built on first hand reporting of the facts," as reported by USA Today. He dismissed Trump's attacks as "name-calling and personal insults" that would not deter the journalists from covering the administration, even in the face of intimidation tactics.
This exchange is just the latest chapter in a long-running feud between Trump and the Times. The president reportedly sued the publication for $15 billion earlier this year, accusing it of being "a fullthroated mouthpiece of the Democrat Party," as reported by POLITICO. Although a judge dismissed the suit, Trump refiled an amended complaint, signaling his ongoing battle with what he calls "fake news."
Signs and Speculation
Observers have noted other signs that fuel questions about Trump's health. Photographs have shown the president with bruises on his hands and swollen ankles, and he has undergone multiple MRI scans in recent months, though the reasons remain unclear. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has insisted the administration has been "open and transparent about the president's health, which remains exceptional," as reported by The Daily Beast, contrasting it with what she described as the previous administration's "cover-up" of Joe Biden's cognitive decline.
Political historian Matthew Dallek of George Washington University suggested that Trump's aides may be managing the narrative carefully. He told The New York Times that the president and his team have created "a fiction about his health to hide the hard, cold truth that he is 79 and one of the oldest people to ever occupy the Oval Office," as reported by The Daily Beast.
The Broader Context
Trump's pushback against the story also reflects a broader political strategy. Throughout his career, he has used his energy and stamina as a symbol of strength, contrasting himself with older political rivals. His frequent jabs at Joe Biden, whom he often calls "Sleepy Joe," underscore this tactic. Yet, as Trump approaches his 80th birthday in June, the public and media scrutiny of his physical and mental fitness has intensified.
The debate over presidential fitness is not new, but it has taken on renewed urgency in an era of 24/7 media coverage and social media amplification. Trump's reaction to the Times story reveals how sensitive the issue remains for him and his administration.
The Fight Goes On
Whether you see this as a legitimate concern or a politically motivated attack, the clash between Trump and The New York Times over his age and energy is far from over. It highlights the challenges of leading the nation at an advanced age and the fierce battles over how presidential fitness is portrayed in the media.
The story is still unfolding, and the next moves from both the White House and the press will be closely watched by a nation eager to understand the true state of its leader.
References: Trump rages about New York Times story on age: 'PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST' | Donald Trump, 79, Completely Loses It Over New York Times Report About His Decline | Trump lashes out at NYT report on his declining energy | Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office
