WASHINGTON — A decisive majority of Americans believe President Donald Trump has become increasingly erratic as he ages, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll released Tuesday. The findings come at a precarious moment for the 79-year-old commander-in-chief, arriving just as he concluded the longest State of the Union address in U.S. history amid growing bipartisan concern over his cognitive health.
The survey, which polled 4,638 adults nationwide between February 18 and 23, found that 61% of respondents agree with the statement that Trump has “become erratic with age.” The sentiment has even begun to pierce the President’s own party, with 30% of Republicans joining 89% of Democrats and 64% of independents in expressing concern over his behavior.
Declining Confidence in Mental Sharpness
The poll highlights a significant shift in public perception since the early days of Trump’s second term. Only 45% of Americans currently describe the President as “mentally sharp and able to deal with challenges,” a sharp decline from the 54% who held that view in September 2023.
While 81% of Republicans still maintain confidence in his acuity, the data suggests a fraying at the edges of his base. According to the report:
- Independents: Only 36% now view him as mentally sharp, down from 53% in late 2023.
- Democrats: Perception has cratered, with only 19% believing he remains fit for the rigors of the office.
This erosion of trust coincides with the President’s recent public performances, including his State of the Union address on February 24, which clocked in at a record-breaking one hour and 48 minutes. While the White House touted the speech as a display of “unmatched energy,” critics pointed to the President’s lengthy tangents and verbal stumbles—such as repeatedly confusing foreign nations—as evidence of decline.
The “Age Crisis” in Washington
The scrutiny of Trump’s age is part of a broader national dissatisfaction with an aging political class. The Reuters/Ipsos data revealed that 79% of Americans believe elected officials in Washington are “too old” to represent the interests of the public.
Trump, who took office in 2025 as the oldest president ever inaugurated, is set to turn 80 this June. If he completes his second term, he will surpass the age record set by his predecessor, Joe Biden, who left office at 82. The poll suggests that the same age-related attacks Trump once leveled against Biden are now being redirected toward him by a skeptical electorate.
White House Rebuffs “Fake Narratives”
The Trump administration has moved quickly to dismiss the polling data as a product of media bias. White House spokesperson Davis Ingle issued a scathing rebuttal, characterizing the findings as “desperate narratives.”
“President Trump’s sharpness and historic accessibility stand in stark contrast to the failing legacy media’s cover-up of the past four years,” Ingle said. “This is why Americans’ trust in the media has fallen to a new all-time low.”
Despite the administration’s defiance, the poll arrives alongside a dip in the President’s overall job approval, which now hovers at 40%. While his base remains largely intact, the growing chorus of concern regarding his temperament and age presents a significant hurdle for the GOP as they look toward the 2026 midterm elections.
What’s Next: Congressional leaders are expected to face renewed calls for transparency regarding the President’s medical records. Meanwhile, the administration is pivoting to a “Golden Age” economic tour to distract from the polling slump and re-energize voters ahead of the November contests.
