After wrapping up a marathon rally in Pennsylvania that stretched well past an hour and a half, President Donald Trump didn’t head for rest.
Instead, he jumped onto Truth Social and let loose with a sprawling, nearly 500-word message aimed squarely at anyone suggesting he’s showing signs of slowing down—especially at his age of 79.
The tone? Combative, proud, and unmistakably Trump.
Pushing Back Against Questions About His Stamina
The New York Times had published a piece questioning the president’s workload, noting that he’d been holding fewer public events than he did during his first term. Trump clearly took issue with that.
In his statement, he insisted that no president has ever logged longer hours or produced better results.
“My hours are the longest,” he wrote, crediting his second-term accomplishments—avoiding wars, strengthening the economy, tightening the border—and claiming he’d built a global “aura” around the nation that demanded respect.
Insisting His Medical Exams Are Flawless
He then pivoted to the topic of his health, highlighting his recent “long, thorough and very boring” examinations at Walter Reed Medical Center.
According to Trump, the doctors overseeing his checkups gave him “perfect marks.”
On top of that, he said he’s taken three separate cognitive tests—most recently “just recently”—and “aced” all of them in front of multiple experts.
He even added that many of those observers were strangers to him, seemingly to underscore impartiality.
Calling Out The New York Times Directly
The Times analysis suggested that as Trump advances in age, keeping up a façade of nonstop vigor is becoming more difficult.
Trump responded that this narrative is flat-out false, insisting he is working “harder than I have ever worked before.”
His schedule, he argued, speaks for itself: a 12-hour overnight flight to Israel to broker a Gaza cease-fire, constant appearances, and long, unscripted press conferences.
“I’ll know when I’m slowing up,” he insisted, “but it’s not now.”
Accusing the Press of Crossing the Line
The president didn’t hold back when describing how he viewed The New York Times’ reporting.
He labeled their coverage “seditious” and even suggested it bordered on “treasonous.”
He argued that repeatedly publishing false claims about the sitting president amounts to undermining the country and said the press should face consequences.
Trump even went as far as saying the nation would be better off if the newspaper “ceased publication.”
The Times responded calmly, defending their reporting and reiterating their commitment to covering the administration without intimidation.
Numbers Behind the Debate
According to The New York Times’ analysis, Trump’s official White House events have decreased by 39 percent compared to his first term.
They also noted that in 2017 he typically kicked off his public schedule around 10:31 a.m.
This year, they say, those start times average later—closer to 12:08 p.m.
Trump’s allies spent years criticizing President Joe Biden for appearing frail, avoiding public appearances, or struggling cognitively.
Now those accusations are boomeranging back at him.
Health Questions Renewed by Recent Photos
Earlier this year, images surfaced of Trump with what appeared to be bruising on his hand—sometimes covered by makeup.
The White House said it came from excessive handshaking.
Later, photos showing swelling around his legs and ankles led to a public disclosure that he has Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition linked to poor circulation.
Another Rally, Another Freewheeling Performance
Trump’s Pennsylvania event on Tuesday, promoted as an economic address, quickly transformed into a full-blown campaign-style rally.
He opened with a boast about his last election performance, then delivered a string of insults aimed at Joe Biden, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and even the chart he was supposed to reference onstage.
At one point, he recalled the assassination attempt he survived in Butler, Pennsylvania—saying the border chart shown at the rally looked terrible compared to the one he credits with alerting him to the shooter.
A Speech That Went Off Script—By Design
More than an hour in, Trump joked that he hadn’t followed the speechwriters’ plan at all.
By the time he wrapped up, he had spoken for a full hour and 36 minutes, claiming he barely touched the teleprompter.
He credited his Chief of Staff Susie Wiles—accidentally calling her “Susie Trump” first—for pushing him to return to the road as Republicans brace for what some fear could be a difficult midterm cycle.
Republicans on Edge as Midterms Approach
With economic anxiety dominating voters’ concerns, Republicans worry they could face a punishing “blue wave.”
Trump, meanwhile, has been visibly irritated by questions about Americans’ financial frustrations.
In an interview released Monday, he awarded himself an “A-plus-plus-plus-plus-plus” on economic leadership and dismissed a reporter as overly dramatic for questioning his grade.
After Democrats notched several strong showings in off-year and special elections, Trump shot back, comparing their economic messaging to “Bonnie and Clyde preaching about public safety.”
Pushing Back Against His Own Critics
He also brushed aside criticism from once-loyal allies like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who had grumbled about his international trips.
Trump defended his travel schedule from the Pennsylvania stage, arguing that global leadership is part of the job.
What Comes Next
Whether Trump’s fiery Truth Social post will quiet questions about his health or stamina is anyone’s guess.
But his message—and his marathon speech—made one thing clear: he’s not backing down from the fight, and he plans to keep talking long past when anyone expects him to stop.
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