Trump’s Online Tirades and Health Speculation Raise Concerns as Allies and Critics Clash Publicly
WASHINGTON — A late-night barrage of more than 150 posts by former President Donald J. Trump has renewed scrutiny of his political standing, his health and the growing unease within segments of his own party. The episode — which unfolded over roughly five hours, with posts targeting political opponents, praising cable television segments and reviving decades-old footage — was widely discussed across social media and morning news programs, rekindling questions about the former president’s state of mind as he mounts another White House bid.
The posts came as Mr. Trump faced intensified criticism over reports of unscheduled medical testing and a series of public misstatements that commentators have seized on as evidence of cognitive decline. In recent days, conservative and liberal media figures alike have dissected a purported MRI reference the former president cited on his social media platform. A former White House physician, speaking on cable news, dismissed the claim as medically implausible, noting that the type of test described is not part of routine presidential evaluations and does not match the administration’s previously released medical schedule.
While Mr. Trump has long bristled at questions about his physical and cognitive health, the issue has resurfaced as political tensions escalate inside his party. Representative Karoline Leavitt, a close ally, attempted to defend him publicly, prompting further debate about the accuracy of the explanation she offered. The episode added to what some aides privately concede is an increasingly difficult task: managing the former president’s tendency to make sweeping or contradictory statements about his own medical status.
At the same time, the administration’s broader health-care agenda has come under fire. Analysts examining newly released marketplace insurance data project steep premium increases in multiple states, raising concerns for middle-income families. Critics have accused Mr. Trump of abandoning earlier promises to lower costs, while supporters argue that congressional gridlock — not White House policy — has slowed progress. The former president has for years vowed that a comprehensive health-care plan is “two weeks away,” a phrase that has become a point of frustration even among some Republicans.
The issue became more complicated on Tuesday when Mr. Trump publicly shared a private text message from Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. In the message, Mr. Paul urged the administration to revisit association health plans, a 2018 initiative that allowed consumers to buy insurance through large retailers. The senator positioned the idea as a bipartisan path to lower premiums. But the former president offered no comment alongside the post, leading analysts to speculate about whether the message was shared intentionally or in error.
The exchange highlighted growing Republican divisions as lawmakers attempt to navigate an increasingly volatile political environment. Some conservatives have warned that the White House’s response to criticism — including threats made by online commentators and the president’s own heated rhetoric — has created new risks for members of Congress.
Democrats, meanwhile, have seized on the former president’s marathon posting session as evidence of instability. “If a public figure in entertainment did this, the conversation would immediately turn to mental health,” one political analyst noted on MSNBC.
For now, Mr. Trump remains the dominant figure in Republican politics. But the convergence of questions about his health, his policy priorities and his online behavior suggests that even some of his allies may be growing wary — and that his political future may hinge as much on discipline as on public support.
