Donald Trump had a surprise visit to his doctor last Saturday, and Barack Obama's ex-doctor is worried. Dr. David Scheiner expressed concerns about the president's health on CNN Monday, saying he's worries about Trump suffering from small strokes.
"His inability to find words is peculiar and has not been explained, and I think one has to think of it as a possible neurological issue," Scheiner said.
Trump's administration has described his recent health and behavior in phrases such as "very good" and "healthy and energetic without complaints". However, many insiders in Washington have concerns. His impromptu visit to the his doctor suggests they may be right.
Scheiner suggests that Trump get an MRI, if that wasn't what happened Saturday.
"These aren't words, these are slips of the tongue," Scheiner said. "These are words he can't find and this is happening over and over again. Comedians joke about it, but it's not a joking matter. I think there is a neurological issue that is not being addressed. And if he's having an MRI of his head over there, I would be very pleased because I think he needs it."
A few years ago, in 2016, Scheiner commented on Trump's health as well. He went on CNN, more specifically Monday's Erin Burnett OutFront show, in the months leading up to the presidential election.
Scheiner then said that he was concerned about the then-candidate's "erratic behavior". He also mentioned that, "We know he's got a narcissistic personality disorder", which I didn't know was an official diagnosis until recently, and I don't think many people know. Dr. Allen Frances just thinks he's a bad person and doesn't fit criteria for NPD. Frances helped write the criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder for psychiatry’s diagnostic bible.
Anyways, Scheiner, back in September of 2016, said that "psychological testing would be important for him."
This Monday, after many theories of Trump's physical and mental health were released, the White House released a note (written by Trump's doctor) that said the visit was just a "routine, planned interim checkup."
"Despite some of the speculation, the President has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues," Navy Cmdr. Sean Conley, President Trump's physician, wrote in the letter.
I think Scheiner's comments have meant to be genuine concerns for the President's health, not whatever else they will be interpreted as.