What’s Wrong With Donald Trump?

I believe there is an answer to this question, and surprisingly, it may not be solely about age — or at least, it’s not just about his age.

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By now, you’ve likely encountered a particular clip that has sparked conversations. It features Donald Trump during a town hall event on Monday, October 14, in Pennsylvania. While responding to soft questions posed by Kristi Noem, the Republican governor of South Dakota, an unexpected medical emergency arises in the audience. The rally pauses momentarily, and “Ave Maria” fills the air as medics address the situation. Once things settle down, Trump and Noem attempt to resume the event, only to be interrupted again when another individual in the crowd requires medical assistance. After the second interruption, Noem tries to regain her rhythm when Trump suddenly declares he is done for the evening.

What unfolds next is something I have never witnessed before. Trump begins to sway to the rhythm of his playlist, entertaining a rally full of supporters for nearly 40 minutes. It was as if he were the DJ at his own bar mitzvah. Observing the expressions of those around him, especially Noem, it’s clear that they are taken aback, caught off guard and unsure of how to respond. They become unwitting backup dancers in a concert that seems entirely out of place.

Part of me finds Trump’s behavior oddly relatable. Who wouldn’t want to escape the daily grind of politics, war, and serious discussions? I often grapple with the urge to transform this podcast into a lively drum and bass set or share my favorite Kiasmos tracks. But I refrain. It’s simply not the objective of our platform. If I were a presidential candidate nearing the finish line of a campaign, I would certainly avoid such antics, as the repercussions would be predictable: a relentless wave of media scrutiny questioning, “What on earth was that?”

I would steer clear of such behavior, knowing it would inevitably lead to attacks from my opponents regarding my peculiar display on stage.

Interestingly, I don’t think Walz has accurately interpreted the situation. Trump did not freeze on that stage; I refuse to accept that narrative. He wasn’t lost in the moment; if anything, he was strikingly present. However, Walz is articulating something many Democrats are eager to hear right now.

There exists a palpable frustration among numerous Democrats — and trust me, I hear from them frequently — regarding the stark contrast in how the media has addressed the ages of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. The scrutiny of Biden’s cognitive abilities has led to relentless media coverage and concern from within his own party, ultimately pressuring him out of the race. Each time Biden stumbles over a name, misplaces a location, or his voice falters, a frenzy erupts over his fitness for office.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump, at 78 years old, is almost as advanced in age as Biden. He displays his own cognitive quirks, often rambling, fabricating stories, and appearing to lose his train of thought during tangential discussions. His speech can be disjointed and circular, resembling gibberish when transcribed. He even goes off on strange tangents, like this one about the perils of electric boats:

• “Electric boats? They’re dangerous!”

There is a strong sense of indignation among many Democrats regarding the leniency that seems to accompany Trump’s age. I’ve wrestled with this feeling myself. It’s not that Trump’s age is a secret or overlooked in media discussions. However, even when we touch upon it, I can sense that it doesn’t resonate in the same way. The media doesn’t dictate the narrative as people sometimes assume. The audience holds its own beliefs. If presented with information that contradicts their perceptions, they may read it and promptly disregard it or choose to ignore it entirely. In all honesty, I don’t believe — and I doubt others believe — that the primary issue with Trump is his age.