Donald Trump’s recent address to the nation left many viewers unsettled—not so much by what he said, but how he said it. The president appeared unusually agitated, speaking rapidly and loudly during the roughly 20-minute speech on the economy and immigration.
Cardiologist and George Washington University professor Jonathan Reiner publicly expressed concern, writing on X, “I’m seriously concerned about the health of the president.” Speaking to CNN, Reiner described Trump’s delivery as having a “manic” and “frantic” cadence that he found disturbing, noting it intensified as the speech went on.
Reiner said the behavior was especially troubling given Trump’s role as commander-in-chief. He also criticized the White House for not being more transparent about the president’s health, referencing past concerns such as swollen ankles, hand bruising, and reports of Trump appearing to fall asleep during meetings.
According to Reiner, such symptoms could indicate sleep-related issues, like sleep apnea, though no such diagnosis has been disclosed. He called the contrast between Trump appearing drowsy at times and then delivering an unusually rapid, high-energy speech “jarring.”