According to many watchers, across the United States and internationally, Donald Trump has been behaving strangely in recent times. Notably in digital spaces.
While a federal shutdown approached in the US recently, the president published an artificial intelligence creation that showed the House minority leader, the first Black House minority leader, wearing a sombrero and amplified facial hair, featuring traditional Mexican music behind the scenes.
Hispanic groups criticized the social media content calling them "racist", "risky" and "disgraceful", but Trump doubled down, sharing another clip that featured him in a sombrero and playing the guitar with a representation of the minority leader.
This wasn't the sole instance where Trump's behavior has seemed unusual. The previous weekend the president shared on his social platform an AI-generated fake video pushing "med bed hospitals".
All citizens will shortly get their own med bed card," the AI rendering of Trump seemingly in the Oval Office declared. "With it, you'll have certain admission to our fresh medical facilities directed by premier medical experts in the nation."
Putting aside the reality that the idea of "med beds" represents a conservative conspiracy theory – a particular iteration suggests that federal authorities and/or select rich individuals control sophisticated health technology that can cure almost every illness, while hiding the advancement – the president's share generated a number of questions.
The entry was finally taken down, yet it continues puzzling, and the White House's response failed to reduce the perplexity.
In my opinion, the president watched the footage and posted it, subsequently deleted it," the White House press secretary stated when inquired about the footage.
During a latest address within the executive mansion wherein the president asserted – opposing current scientific consensus – that the medication could connect to autism spectrum if women take it during pregnancy, the president puzzlingly mentioned about "specific aspects of brilliance that can be given to a baby".
A week earlier, through a news conference alongside UK leader Keir Starmer, Trump mistakenly identified Albania with Armenia during conversation about a diplomatic settlement struck between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Regarding digital communications, recently the president posted on his social media platform that he had "been briefed" regarding a shooting at a religious facility in Michigan resulting in four fatalities.
He did indeed post again. But it was not an update regarding the developing situation across Michigan. Conversely, a few hours subsequently, he posted footage that displayed multiple gold fixtures and fittings.
Apart from the puzzling digital conduct, the commander-in-chief's live presentations have also become odd.
On Tuesday, Trump summoned the nation's leading armed forces leaders to a conference in the state. Talking to high-ranking officers, Trump, seeming fatigued, touted his alleged successes.
Our nation is honored again as a country. We lacked respect under Biden," Trump continued. They witnessed him tumbling on staircases daily. Every day, the guy's falling down stairs."
The speech generated instant worry, including from former military members. Former General Barry McCaffrey commented to media that the president's presentation was "one of the most bizarre, disturbing incidents I've witnessed".
"The president seemed confused, weary, highly divisive, at times stupid," McCaffrey said.
Trump's presentation proved sufficient for Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, a Democratic congresswoman from Pennsylvania, to approach the GOP House leader, the House speaker.
"The president seems unbalanced. He appears ill," the representative stated to Johnson.
Johnson looked untroubled regarding the statements. "Actually numerous people in your camp seem likewise," the speaker answered.
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