Washington, D.C. – In an episode of their Shrinking Trump podcast on the Really American Network, aired on August 12, clinical psychologists Dr. Harry Segal and Dr. John Gartner delivered a scathing assessment of President Donald Trump’s mental state, alleging that his relentless boasting about “acing” a cognitive test betrays an awareness of his own cognitive decline.
The duo, joined by Trump’s niece Mary Trump’s claims of his “rapid decline,” also accused the president of exhibiting “dictatorial” behaviors, pointing to his controversial Washington, D.C., crime crackdown and plans to reshape Smithsonian exhibits. As protests against Trump’s policies intensify and the 2026 midterms loom, these allegations are fueling a heated debate about his fitness for office, deepening the divide between his MAGA base and a growing chorus of critics.
The Cognitive Test Controversy
At the heart of the psychologists’ analysis is Trump’s fixation on a cognitive test he took during his April 2025 annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
In a fiery TRUTH Social post, Trump lashed out at Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), branding her a “Low (Very!!!) I.Q. Individual” and comparing her to “the AOC Plus Three Gang of Country Destroying Morons.” He boasted, “President Trump ACED [the test], something that is rarely seen!”
At an Oval Office event, he claimed a doctor marveled, “I’ve never seen anybody get that kind of—the highest mark.” Such bravado, however, is a red flag for Segal and Gartner.
Dr. Segal explained that the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a brief screening tool used in hospitals or nursing homes, is designed to detect gross cognitive impairment, not to measure intelligence. “Anyone can ace it. It’s really not hard,” he said, noting tasks like drawing a clock or identifying animals are rudimentary.
“Trump keeps remembering it, and I wonder if it’s because he’s partly aware that he’s losing it and needs to reassure himself he’s the genius he thinks he is.” Gartner concurred, observing a pattern: “The more spectacularly guilty he is, the more vociferously he denies it. He knows he’s in some kind of cognitive decline, or suspects it, and is warding that idea off by stating the extreme opposite.”
The MoCA, Gartner clarified, is administered when cognitive decline is suspected or as part of routine testing for older individuals. “It’s not an accomplishment to pass it,” he said. “It only means you don’t have gross dementia. It doesn’t rule out early dementia or milder impairments.”
Trump’s physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, said in April that the president is in “excellent cognitive and physical health,” fully fit for his duties. Yet, incidents like Trump’s 39-minute music session at a Pennsylvania town hall in July and incoherent remarks during a cabinet meeting, cited by Mary Trump in Newsweek, have fueled speculation about his mental acuity.
“Dictatorial” Moves and a Crackdown on D.C.
Beyond cognitive concerns, Gartner accused Trump of authoritarian tendencies, pointing to his recent executive order declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C. The order, which deployed National Guard troops from West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio to patrol landmarks like the National Mall and federalized the city’s police force, sparked protests chanting “Trump Must Go” and “Free D.C.”
Gartner called it a “fake emergency” used as “an excuse for taking dictatorial power,” arguing it mirrors tactics of historical autocrats. “Every single dictator does this,” he warned, citing Trump’s plan to review Smithsonian exhibits to align with his vision for America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The Smithsonian, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to “scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history,” promising to collaborate with the White House and Congress. Critics, however, see the move as an attempt to rewrite history, with Gartner warning, “It’s very dangerous that they want to control American history.”
The D.C. crackdown, coupled with protests in cities like New York and San Francisco, has intensified perceptions of Trump as overstepping federal authority, especially after a failed attempt to appoint DEA Administrator Terry Cole as an “emergency police commissioner,” blocked by a lawsuit from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
Polarized Response and Political Fallout
The psychologists’ claims have ignited a firestorm on X and beyond. Liberal commentator Harry Sisson amplified the narrative, posting, “Trump’s losing it, and the evidence is piling up—his own niece says he’s declining rapidly.” However, MAGA supporters like Laura Loomer dismissed the allegations as “leftist propaganda,” arguing, “Trump’s running circles around Biden’s legacy with a packed schedule.” Another user defended him, stating, “A 79-year-old handling tariffs, summits, and crime policies? That’s not decline—that’s stamina.”
Mary Trump’s assertions, combined with Segal and Gartner’s analysis, align with Democratic efforts to portray Trump as unfit. A Politico poll showing eroding support for Trump’s tariffs among his 2024 voters further complicates the GOP’s path to retaining Congress in 2026, as Steve Bannon’s warnings about losing the MAGA base over the Epstein files resonate.
Contextualizing Trump’s Behavior
Trump’s supporters argue his demanding schedule—recently including a summit with Vladimir Putin, tariff negotiations, and policy rollouts—proves his mental sharpness. Yet, critics point to erratic moments, such as his fixation on cognitive tests and inflammatory rhetoric, as evidence of decline.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with its Medicaid cuts affecting millions, has fueled protests and criticism, amplifying perceptions of an administration in disarray. The Ghislaine Maxwell prison transfer and Matt Gaetz’s AI image controversy on OAN further erode trust in Trump’s leadership.
The Smithsonian review, in particular, has drawn parallels to authoritarian regimes, with historians warning of propaganda risks. Dr. Jane Smith, a Georgetown University historian, told NPR, “Controlling cultural institutions like the Smithsonian is a classic move to shape national identity. It’s not about history—it’s about power.” The D.C. crackdown, meanwhile, has sparked legal challenges, with Schwalb arguing it violates home rule and sets a dangerous precedent for federal overreach in cities.
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Looking Ahead: A Looming Battle for 2026
The allegations of cognitive decline and authoritarianism could shape Democratic strategy as they aim to flip Congress in 2026. The Shrinking Trump podcast, titled “Is Trump Becoming the Demented Dictator?”, taps into a narrative that resonates with liberal voters but risks alienating moderates who view such claims as hyperbolic. For the GOP, defending Trump’s record while addressing voter concerns about economic policies and transparency—epitomized by the Epstein files saga—will be critical.
Trump’s next moves, from his response to protests to potential Smithsonian interventions, will likely intensify scrutiny. If the psychologists’ warnings gain traction, they could embolden challengers like Sherrill and fuel grassroots movements like “Free DC.”
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