A new poll has revealed growing public doubts about President Donald Trump's stability, released just one day before he delivered the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history to a deeply polarized electorate. The Reuters/Ipsos survey, which concluded on Monday, found that a significant 61% of Americans would describe Trump as having "become erratic with age." This perception cuts across party lines, with 89% of Democrats, 30% of Republicans, and 64% of independents characterizing the president in this manner.
Declining Confidence in Mental Sharpness
Only 45% of respondents stated they would describe Trump as "mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges." This marks a notable decline from 54% in a September 2023 poll conducted over a year before Trump was re-elected for his second term. The online survey, carried out between February 18 and 23, measured the attitudes of 4,638 American adults, providing a comprehensive snapshot of public opinion.
White House Dismisses Poll as "Fake and Desperate"
When Reuters requested comment on the poll results, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle vehemently rejected the findings. Ingle dismissed the survey as an example of a "fake and desperate" narrative, while simultaneously praising Trump's "sharpness, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility" in comparison to his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
Approval Ratings and Health Scrutiny
Interestingly, while other recent surveys have indicated a larger dip in Trump's approval rating, this particular poll found 40% approved of the president's performance, representing a 2% increase from earlier in the month. According to Reuters/Ipsos research, the president's overall approval has remained within a point or two of its current level since April 2025.
Scrutiny over Trump's health and physical stamina has intensified in recent months. Public reaction has been particularly pronounced following instances where the president has seemingly struggled to stay awake during several White House meetings. Additionally, during a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month, the 79-year-old president repeatedly confused Greenland and Iceland, further raising questions about his mental acuity.
Republican Defenses and Campaign Promises
In response to the growing discourse, several prominent Republicans have made grandiose assertions about Trump's well-being. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, told New York Magazine last month that "He can work harder and he has a better memory and he has more stamina and has more energy than a normal mortal." Miller even suggested that "The headline of your story should be 'The Superhuman President.'"
White House chief of staff Susie Wiles also defended the president's working habits during a December appearance on "The Mom View," stating that her boss "works 24/7" and never sleeps. Wiles attempted to assuage Republicans' concerns about the upcoming midterm elections by assuring them that Trump would be campaigning vigorously.
"I haven't quite broken it to him yet, but he's going to campaign like it's 2024 again," she declared. "He's a difference-maker, and he's certainly a turnout machine."
These defenses come as President Trump prepares for what promises to be a contentious election cycle, with his mental fitness likely to remain a central topic of public debate and political discourse.
