Donald Trump’s NATO summit gaffes spark dementia speculation

At the NATO summit in Ankara, President Donald Trump made a series of verbal missteps, including calling Iran the “Japanese Islamic Republic,” mispronouncing Tik Tok as “Tik Ťak,” and confusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The errors were widely circulated online and prompted criticism from U.S. legislators, who described his performance as a “shame” on the world stage.

Medical observers cited the gaffes as possible signs of cognitive decline, with a New York‑based surgeon suggesting the pattern resembled early dementia, though no formal diagnosis was offered. The White House rejected the concerns, citing routine medical examinations and defending the president’s health. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt defended Trump’s press briefings, saying he “dominated the room” and left the summit with a stronger NATO. The episode has revived debates about the president’s fitness for office, echoing similar scrutiny faced by other senior politicians.