Former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci has rejected speculation that President Donald Trump is suffering from dementia, while simultaneously arguing that the president is "genuinely unwell" because of his conduct and public rhetoric rather than any confirmed cognitive disease.
Scaramucci's comments, posted on X, have reignited debate surrounding Trump's health at a time when the 80-year-old president continues to face intense public scrutiny over his physical condition and fitness for office. The remarks also stand out because they come from one of Trump's most outspoken former aides, who has spent years criticizing the president following his brief tenure in the Trump administration.
Rather than endorsing widespread online claims that Trump suffers from dementia, Scaramucci explicitly dismissed that theory.
"Trump doesn't have dementia, I'll say that clearly," he wrote on X.
Scaramucci instead argued that Trump's behavior reflects a different combination of factors.
He described the president as having "a narcissistic personality and the normal infirmities you'd expect at 80. But he's a fairly vigorous, fairly healthy 80. Don't underestimate him."
Those comments diverge from growing speculation on social media, where clips of Trump appearing fatigued, occasionally losing his train of thought or displaying visible bruising have fueled claims that he is experiencing serious cognitive decline. None of those claims has been substantiated by publicly available medical evidence.
Scaramucci's criticism focused less on Trump's physical health than on the president's recent public statements.
"He's making statements that are nowhere near what a world leader should be saying," Scaramucci wrote.
He specifically referenced what he characterized as Trump "threatening the death and destruction of an entire civilisation on social media," adding: "That is a war crime."
Scaramucci further argued that similar remarks from leaders in other democratic countries would likely trigger swift political consequences.
"It would never happen in the first place and if it did, their own party would remove them within hours," he wrote.
The former communications director's intervention carries added weight because of his history with Trump.
Although Scaramucci served only 10 days as White House communications director in 2017 before leaving the administration, he has since become one of the president's most persistent Republican critics. Despite that political break, he cautioned opponents against assuming Trump's age alone makes him politically weak.
His message repeatedly emphasized that critics risk underestimating Trump's resilience by focusing exclusively on rumors about dementia.
Online reactions quickly challenged Scaramucci's assessment.
Some users insisted Trump "is very medicated and exhibits many symptoms of dementia," while others argued that his public appearances demonstrate significant physical and cognitive decline. Those responses, however, largely reflected personal opinions rather than verified medical findings.
Scaramucci acknowledged the limits of his own observations.
"You may be right. I am not a doctor. I am just saying don't underestimate him," he replied to one commenter.
The White House has consistently rejected suggestions that Trump suffers from any serious undisclosed medical condition.
Communications Director Steven Cheung has repeatedly defended the president's health, saying: "President Trump has publicly released more detailed information about his health than any other president in history showing he is in excellent health."
Administration officials have previously disclosed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a common circulatory condition affecting the veins in the legs, and have attributed bruising visible on one of his hands to frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use. Beyond those explanations, the White House has not announced any new diagnoses.
