Former U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly criticized media outlets questioning his health, labeling their reports as “inflammatory” and potentially “treasonous.” His remarks prompted a sharp response from one of the targeted news organizations.
Trump, the oldest elected president in U.S. history, lashed out at reports, particularly those published by The New York Times, suggesting a decline in his performance at the age of 79.
In a lengthy post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “There has never been a President who has worked as hard as I have! My hours are long, and my results are among the best.”
He continued, “I truly believe that what The New York Times and others are doing is inflammatory, and perhaps even treasonous, by continually publishing misleading reports intended to defame and disparage the President of the United States.”
Trump asserted that he had undergone “extensive, comprehensive, and very boring” medical examinations and had “aced” cognitive tests that he claimed other presidents had not taken. He further suggested that “the best thing that could happen to this country is for The New York Times to stop publishing, because they are a terrible source of information, biased, and not credible.”
A November report by The New York Times reportedly angered Trump and the White House, as it indicated that the former president had significantly reduced public appearances, domestic travel, and working hours compared to his first term.
Nicole Taylor, a spokesperson for The New York Times, responded to Trump’s accusations, stating, “Americans deserve in-depth reporting and regular updates on the health of the leaders they elect.”
She added, “Trump welcomed our coverage of the age and fitness of his predecessors, and we apply the same level of journalistic scrutiny to his vitality.”
The newspaper emphasized that its reports are based on numerous sources and rely on interviews with individuals close to the former president and medical experts, adding, “We will not be deterred by language of lies and incitement that distorts the role of a free press.”
