A medical expert has claimed that former President Donald Trump experienced a stroke last year, sparking renewed speculation about the health of the 79-year-old political figure. Professor Bruce Davidson of Washington State University, a member of the university’s college of medicine, made the assertion during a podcast interview on The Court of History with biographer Sidney Blumenthal and historian Sean Wilentz.
Davidson suggested that the stroke occurred in the left side of Trump’s brain, which controls movement on the right side of the body, and estimated the event happened in early 2025. He cited several observations that he interprets as possible evidence, including Trump’s gait in public appearances, instances of cradling his right hand with his left, and moments of garbled speech. The professor also referenced episodes of hypersomnolence—periods of excessive daytime sleepiness—and noted that Trump has been seen dozing during public events, which he said can be consistent with post-stroke conditions.
“I think his stroke was on the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body,” Davidson said. “There are videos of him shuffling his feet, which is not what we’d seen previously when he was striding on the golf course. We’ve seen him holding his right hand cradled in his left. Earlier in 2025, he was garbling words, which he hadn’t done before and which he’s improved upon more recently.”
The professor further referenced footage of Trump disembarking from Air Force One while holding the bannister with his left hand, despite being right-handed, describing it as “consistent with having had a stroke on the left side of the brain.” He also suggested that Trump’s more aggressive or erratic behavior could align with behavioral changes sometimes seen in stroke survivors.
Despite these claims, Davidson acknowledged that if the stroke did occur, the president “looks like he’s had significant recovery.”
White House Response
The White House has strongly refuted the claims. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Beast that President Trump remains in “excellent overall health.” She cited the president’s “relentless work ethic, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility” and said the claims are part of what she called “fake and desperate narratives” about Trump’s health. Leavitt also emphasized that Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, has consistently confirmed his fitness and wellbeing.
Recent public attention has focused on aspects of Trump’s health and appearance. Supporters and critics alike have noted bruises on his hands, facial expressions at public events, and speech patterns, which have prompted online speculation about potential cognitive or physical health concerns. During a podcast appearance, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. commented on Trump’s diet and longevity, noting the president consumes fast food, candy, and Diet Coke regularly, describing him as having “the constitution of a deity.”
Public Reaction and Speculation
Observers have debated the claims on social media, particularly after events such as Trump’s appearance at the 9/11 anniversary commemoration, where some viewers noted facial asymmetry. However, no official medical records or statements have confirmed that the former president experienced a stroke, and the White House maintains that the claims are unfounded.
Davidson described a potential stroke as “a very serious, concerning, life-threatening, upsetting, scary event,” noting that people respond to such events differently—ranging from humility to euphoric behavior. He suggested that Trump’s actions in his second White House term might reflect such post-event changes, though he did not provide clinical confirmation.
Until any official medical disclosure is made, the matter remains speculative. The discussion has highlighted the intense scrutiny surrounding the health of public figures, especially in political contexts, and the challenges in separating observation from verified medical information.
