Trump mocked over 'absolutely comical' memory loss as health speculations erupt

Donald Trump's claim that Maryland Governor Wes Moore called him "the greatest president of my lifetime" has been branded "absolutely comical" by the 46-year-old Democratic politician and ex-US Army officer. The dispute has also fuelled renewed speculation about Mr Trump's cognitive health, with critics alleging repeated misstatements and apparent memory lapses.

The remarks come after California Governor Gavin Newsom has seized on the moment, using social media satire and merchandise to mock Mr Trump. The billionaire had claimed that when he met Moore at the Army-Navy football game in December 2024, Mr Moore hugged him, shook his hand, and said, "Sir, you're the greatest president of my lifetime," adding that he wished Mr Moore would make the praise public.

However, Mr Moore said in an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins: "I know this is breaking news to everybody, but the president is not telling the truth."

He said their discussion focused on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse near Baltimore and Maryland's rapid recovery efforts-not on praising Mr Trump. Mr Moore also declined an invitation to sit with the president, choosing to remain with cadets and midshipmen.

Bronze Star-decorated veteran Mr Moore said: "What happened right there was when I first met the president, and then after he started talking about how I'm a good-looking guy, I started talking about the importance of the Key Bridge and how this state put on a case study on how to recover in times of crisis, that we're able to bring closure to all six families, to the individuals who were lost that night on the Key Bridge.

"And when they told us it was going to take 11 months to clear the federal channel, that this state got it done in 11 weeks, and we started talking about how it was going to get done.

"I never called him the greatest. And I just find it absolutely comical that that the way he remembered that conversation."

Separately, explaining his recent attacks on Mr Trump and numerous social media posts targeting the president, Mr Newsom said: "If you have issues with what I'm putting out, you sure as hell should have concerns about what he's putting out as President."

The 57-year-old has posted AI-generated images of himself on Mount Rushmore and being prayed over by conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.

He has also launched an online merchandise store, the Patriot Shop, selling Trump-style products with a Democratic twist, including hats reading "NEWSOM WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING" and $100 bibles. Proceeds go to his political action committee, the Campaign for Democracy.

He also shared an AI-generated assessment that "people with dementia can repeat false statements or beliefs", an apparent jab at Mr Trump.

Mr Newsom's ex-wife, Kimberly Guilfoyle, previously dated Donald Trump Jr. after splitting from the California governor, though that relationship ended.

Mr Trump's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin triggered significant speculation, not least over the way he walked. Additionally, eyebrows were raised after Mr Trump launched into a meandering rant about "violent fish".

Clinical psychologists Dr John Gartner and Dr Harry Segal have frequently voiced concerns about the 79-year-old's psychomotor abilities, while acknowledging that no firm conclusions can be drawn without a clinical examination.

Nevertheless, in the latest episode of their Shrinking Trump programme, Dr Gartner said: "Some of the evidence that we've been talking about recently has been his psychomotor performance, that we're seeing a deterioration in his motor performance, which also goes with dementia because with dementia there's a deterioration of all faculties, all functions.

"The language and the verbal dysfunction is what we notice first and also what we notice in terms of his public behaviour, but now his motor performance is starting to get worse and worse."

Specifically referring to his red carpet appearance as he walked to meet Putin last week, Dr Gartner added: "He's weaving all along the carpet.

"His right foot is swinging and it's pushing him to the left. So, as it's swinging, he's veering left and then he overcorrects and moves to the other side of the carpet and then it happens again."

Dr Seagal said: "It's very odd, isn't it? Because it doesn't look like someone who's drunk, but he's drifting back and forth as if again as if he can't control one of his legs."

Express.co.uk has contacted the White House for comment.