Former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, who famously served under Donald Trump without holding a single formal briefing, has emerged as a vocal critic of the President's recent behavior. Following his marathon two-hour press appearance on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Grisham expressed deep concern over what she described as his declining mental state.
The "Mentally Slipping" Critique
Reflecting on the briefing, which marked the first anniversary of Trump’s second term, Grisham took to social media to sound the alarm. She characterized the appearance as "bizarre even for him" and pointed to several indicators of cognitive decline:
The "Low-Energy" Assessment: Grisham noted that while the presser contained the usual "rambling, off-topic tales, half-truths, and lies," it felt different. She described the President as "low-energy" and stated it felt as though he is "mentally slipping."
The "Emperor" Tag: She concluded her post with the hashtag #EmperorHasNoClothes, calling on Congress to "wake up" to the reality of the President's condition.
Context of the Scrutiny
Grisham’s comments amplify a growing chorus of concern regarding the 79-year-old President’s health as he enters the second year of his term:
Medical Observations: Her remarks align with recent critiques from medical experts, such as Professor Bruce Davidson, who highlighted possible "stroke warning signs" like a right-side facial droop and a shuffling gait in January 2026 footage.
The "Golen Dome" Incident: The "mentally slipping" narrative was further fueled by Trump's recent social media blunder where he repeatedly misspelled his proposed "Golden Dome" missile shield as "Golen Dome."
ICE Crime Cards: During the very briefing Grisham criticized, Trump stumbled over his words, calling a charge of "intentional murder" "international murder" while reading from official ICE documents.
Trumpworld's Counter-Offensive
The administration has pushed back hard against these characterizations. President Trump recently addressed the rumors in a Wall Street Journal interview, claiming he has "aced" multiple cognitive tests and is in "perfect health." His personal physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, also released a memo stating the President's "cardiac age" is 14 years younger than his actual age.
Grisham, who endorsed Kamala Harris in 2024 and has been a "true believer" turned critic, continues to be a polarizing figure. While critics dismiss her as a "turncoat," her status as a former inner-circle insider gives her observations significant weight in the ongoing national conversation about the President's fitness for office.
