'Not tough rhetoric, it’s insanity': Trump allies defend strategy as critics question mental fitness

A widening and increasingly public debate over the mental fitness of US President Donald Trump has drawn in political allies, critics and historians, with supporters arguing his conduct reflects deliberate strategy while detractors cite a pattern of erratic statements and behaviour.

Defenders of the president reject claims of instability, describing his approach as a calculated effort to pressure adversaries and disrupt conventional politics. Columnist Liz Peek said, "Trump knows exactly what he is doing," framing his actions as a form of "maximalist (and sometimes outrageous) military and diplomatic pressure" aimed at extracting concessions, says the New York Times.

Some allies liken Trump's style to the "madman theory" associated with former President Richard Nixon, in which a leader cultivates unpredictability to gain leverage. Trump has embraced that framing, telling former US ambassador Nikki Haley to "Make them think I'm crazy" in negotiations with North Korea.

Trump himself has described his communication style as intentional, saying that effective messaging requires "Just the right amount of crazy." During his first term, he also referred to himself as "A very stable genius."

The White House has reinforced that view. Spokesman Davis Ingle said, "President Trump's sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to what we saw during the past four years."

Among his political base, the approach is often viewed as a form of anti-establishment leadership. Historian Julian E. Zelizer said, "What can be more anti-establishment than someone who is willing to be out of control?"

Historical comparisons

Questions about presidential temperament are not new in US history. Political rivals at various times labelled figures such as John Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt as "unbalanced."

Other leaders faced documented health challenges. Abraham Lincoln struggled with depression, while Woodrow Wilson's capacity was affected by a stroke. Lyndon B. Johnson was known for shifts between high energy and "bouts of gloominess." Ronald Reagan drew scrutiny late in his presidency before being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease years later, and more recently Joseph R. Biden Jr. faced questions about his capacity as he "aged demonstrably."

Historians note, however, that the current debate is more immediate and visible. Unlike earlier presidencies, assessments of Trump's behaviour are unfolding in real time through social media and cable television. Zelizer said that in contrast to earlier administrations, "When he does what he does, everyone around him keeps their eyes to the floor and says nothing," pointing to a lack of internal constraints.

Recent incidents fuel scrutiny

The debate has intensified following a series of remarks and actions that critics describe as alarming. Trump drew attention for threatening Iran, saying "A whole civilisation will die tonight," and later telling the New York Post, "I was willing to do it," adding that he was "not pretending."

He has also accused critics of sedition, noting the crime is punishable by death. In other instances, Trump launched a "head-spinning" attack on Pope Leo XIV, calling him "WEAK on Crime" and "terrible for Foreign Policy," and said of former FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III, "Good, I'm glad he's dead." He also posted and later deleted an image depicting himself as a Jesus-like figure.

Critics further point to repeated factual errors and apparent confusion, including statements about his father's birthplace and geographical mix-ups. Observers have cited "disjointed, hard-to-follow and sometimes-profane statements," as well as late-night social media posts featuring abrupt topic shifts.

In response to concerns raised by commentators including Candace Owens and Alex Jones, Trump wrote that they were "They're NUT JOBS, TROUBLEMAKERS" and had "Low IQs."

Escalating criticism

While Democrats have long questioned Trump's fitness, a "fresh chorus" of concern has emerged from former allies and conservative figures. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene said, "Not tough rhetoric, it's insanity."

Candace Owens described Trump as "A genocidal lunatic," while Alex Jones said he "Does babble and sounds like the brain's not doing too hot." Former White House lawyer Ty Cobb called him "A man who is clearly insane," and former press secretary Stephanie Grisham said, "He's clearly not well."

Democratic lawmakers have also issued sharp criticism. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called Trump "An extremely sick person." House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries described him as "Unhinged" and "out of control," while Representative Ted Lieu said he was "Batshit crazy."

Some Democrats have called for medical evaluations, citing what they view as signs consistent with cognitive decline.

Public and political impact

The White House and its allies continue to dismiss such claims, reiterating that Trump's conduct is strategic rather than symptomatic. This defence, sometimes described as "crazy-like-a-fox," frames his actions as a deliberate effort to keep adversaries off balance.

Public opinion appears divided. Polling cited in the sources indicates that 61% of Americans believe Trump has become more erratic with age, even as his approach remains popular with core supporters.

Analysts note that, despite historical precedents of scrutiny over presidential health, the scale and immediacy of the current debate are without modern parallel, driven by continuous media coverage and the president's direct communication channels.

25th amendment discussion

The debate has also prompted renewed discussion of the 25th Amendment, which allows for a president to be declared unable to discharge the duties of office. Invocation would require approval from the president's cabinet, a threshold that has not been met.

While some Democrats and former allies have called for its use, the absence of support among cabinet members and Republican lawmakers has rendered the possibility "moot" for now, according to the sources.