Does Trump have Alzheimer’s? Internet speculates after his Oprah comment in Joe Rogan interview

Trump’s Oprah comment fuels speculation online as he suggests recent appearance on show that ended in 2011.

In an interview with Joe Rogan, former President Donald Trump made a comment that has sparked social media speculation regarding his cognitive health.

Trump, referring to his appearance on Oprah Winfrey's show, suggested that it happened "last Thursday," although the show ended in 2011. Trump’s statement, “I did one of her last shows...maybe Thursday or Friday,” immediately drew attention online, with many viewers questioning the accuracy of his memory.

Social media users responded quickly, with one person tweeting, “Trump thinks he was on Oprah’s show last week...he’s seriously unwell if so.” Another noted, “He belongs in a memory care facility, not the White House.” Some users even likened Trump’s comment to Alzheimer’s symptoms experienced by their own family members, as shared in one tweet: “My mom kept saying she 'played tennis last week'…then we found out it was Alzheimer’s.”

My mom kept telling me she "played tennis last week." I would argue with her that it had been 20 years, and that would make her so mad. Then we found out it was Alzheimer's. Here is Trump insisting he was on Oprah "last Thursday." The show ended in 2011. It's Alzheimer's. pic.twitter.com/5QSvQ5bNon

— Dayna For Congress TX36 💙🇺🇸 (@daynasteele) October 26, 2024

Rogan-“When you were on Oprah’s show, she was encouraging you”

Trump-“Last week I did one of her last shows, I think maybe Thursday or Friday, it was a big deal being on Oprah’s show the last one”

Is he honestly saying he was on Oprah last week? He’s seriously unwell if so.. pic.twitter.com/LccgSC7n0X

— 🇺🇦BostonBrian🇺🇸🦅 (@BostonBrian23) October 26, 2024

In contrast, some Trump supporters defended his comments, asserting he may have been referencing one of Oprah’s last shows and his phrasing led to misunderstandings. A user on Twitter suggested that Trump was “talking about being on Oprah at the very end of her final week,” viewing it as a comment taken out of context.

Trump was clearly speaking of being on one of Oprah's last shows WHILE IT WAS AIRING.

Do YOU have dementia?

— Law of Self Defense (@LawSelfDefense) October 27, 2024

Y’all are ridiculous. He said he did one of he last shows in the last week before going off air. He did a 3 hour interview … go listen to it and learn something

— ThoughtPoliceRWatching (@Lc87916693Lc) October 26, 2024

Stop. I’m as anti Trump as they come and he’s not saying that. He’s talking about being on Oprah at the very end of her final week. It was a big deal in terms of who would get the coveted slots at the end. This Rogan interview is a debacle so no need to invent things.

— DK (@donnaherzing) October 26, 2024

This incident has fueled further discussion around cognitive health in politics. Trump, who has emphasized mental acuity and proposed that all presidential candidates take cognitive tests, is no stranger to questions of mental fitness in campaigns, particularly as both he and current President Joe Biden are of advanced age. Given his father Fred Trump Sr.’s battle with Alzheimer’s, questions around genetics and memory remain relevant in conversations surrounding his current campaign.