Concerns about former President Donald Trump’s health are growing louder as the 2024 election draws near. Observers have pointed to recent appearances where he has been seen with swollen ankles and visible bruises on his hands. Alongside moments of apparent fatigue or verbal missteps, critics — including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker — have openly questioned whether Trump may be exhibiting signs of cognitive decline or early-stage dementia.
Trump’s team has dismissed such claims, attributing the hand bruises to his constant handshaking on the campaign trail and the ankle swelling to age-related circulation issues. In July, Trump underwent a full medical workup by the White House Medical Unit. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, reported mild swelling in the lower legs due to chronic venous insufficiency — a relatively common and non-threatening condition in older adults. Further tests, including heart and vascular screenings, ruled out serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis, kidney disease, or heart failure. All results, Barbabella confirmed, came back normal.
Now, a new voice has entered the debate — one that doesn’t fully align with either side. Dr. Aseem Malhotra, a British cardiologist and advisor to the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative tied to RFK Jr., has offered an alternative explanation: he believes the symptoms being discussed may be side effects of Trump’s medication regimen, not signs of dementia.
In an interview with The Daily Beast, Malhotra stated, “From what I’ve seen, this doesn’t look like dementia. It’s more plausible that he’s experiencing side effects from medications like statins or aspirin, which are often prescribed for heart health. These drugs can cause fatigue, cognitive cloudiness, and even swelling. If I were treating him, I’d take him off them immediately.”
Malhotra doubled down on this theory during a live event hosted by the “Make Europe Healthy Again” platform at the European Parliament. There, he controversially described Trump as “almost superhuman,” but cautioned that medications could be suppressing his energy levels and potentially shortening his lifespan. He also raised concerns about the long-term use of aspirin in patients without significant vascular issues, citing risks like internal bleeding that may outweigh the benefits.
Known for his outspoken views, Malhotra has previously drawn criticism from medical organizations including the British Heart Foundation, which have accused him of spreading misleading health information. Despite this, his recent comments have reignited conversation around Trump’s physical and cognitive state.
With the election season heating up and Trump maintaining a demanding campaign schedule, questions about his overall health are unlikely to fade anytime soon. Whether Malhotra’s theory gains traction or is brushed off as speculative remains to be seen — but the topic is clearly not going away.
