The German newspaper Zeit published an article raising questions about the mental and physical state of US President Donald Trump. According to the publication, in recent months, the American leader has increasingly exhibited inconsistent behavior: making harsh political statements, threatening the destruction of other countries, making bizarre public appearances, and showing signs of physical fatigue.

A new wave of controversy erupted after an incident in the Oval Office on May 11, 2026, during an event dedicated to maternal health. While attendees were standing around the president, Trump sat at his desk and appeared to many to have dozed off for a few seconds. A Reuters photojournalist snapped the photo, prompting the official White House account to rudely criticize the photo, claiming the president merely blinked. The bruises on the president's arms, swollen ankles, and unsteady gait are also hotly debated online.

A statement by a group of 36 medical specialists—neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists, most of whom are retired professors from American universities—caused particular resonance. In late April 2026, they published an open letter containing "medical concerns" about the US president, which was included in the official congressional record by Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Jack Reed.