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US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised news organisations for reporting on his health, describing articles questioning his physical and mental sharpness as “seditious” and “perhaps even treasonous”. His comments prompted an immediate response from one of the publications involved, which defended its reporting and accused the president of attempting to undermine press freedom.
In a long, angry message posted on his Truth Social platform, the 79-year-old president railed against coverage in The New York Times and other outlets that suggested he might be slowing down. Trump described the articles as “fake” and claimed they were designed to discredit and insult him, insisting no previous president had worked harder or put in longer hours.
He also said he had undergone extensive medical checks and had passed cognitive tests, which he claimed other presidents had avoided. In an unusually personal attack, he said the country would be better off if The New York Times stopped publishing altogether.
Trump’s outburst came even though he has repeatedly accused the media of failing to scrutinise the health of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who withdrew from the 2024 election following a disastrous debate performance that reignited doubts about his age and fitness. The president has frequently compared himself favourably to Biden, regularly mocking him in speeches.
The row was triggered by a New York Times article published in November, which reported that Trump had cut back significantly on travel, public appearances and working hours compared with his first term. Interest in his health intensified further after reports that he appeared drowsy at several events and underwent an MRI scan during an unscheduled medical visit in October.
Responding to the president’s remarks, a spokesperson for The New York Times said Americans had a right to clear and regular information about the health of their elected leaders. The paper defended its reporting as carefully sourced and based on interviews with people close to Trump and medical professionals. The newspaper added that it would not be intimidated by what it described as false and inflammatory language aimed at weakening the role of a free press.
Trump issued his statement shortly after appearing at a lengthy rally where he adopted a campaign-style tone, joking with the crowd, singing and attacking both the media and migrants. In his online post, he dismissed any suggestion that his performance was slipping, declaring that he would know if he were losing pace and that, in his view, this was not the case.
