Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping 'Will Capitalise' On Donald Trump's 'Cognitive Decline', Expert Warns

In the high-stakes theatre of global diplomacy, a leader's greatest asset is often their perceived strength. However, as 2025 draws to a close, a different narrative is beginning to take hold within the corridors of power.

While the White House continues to issue upbeat bulletins regarding the health of President Donald Trump, a chorus of political analysts is sounding the alarm. They suggest that what we are witnessing is not merely the natural slowing of a 79-year-old statesman, but a strategic vulnerability that America's fiercest rivals are already preparing to exploit.

The scrutiny intensified this week following a series of public appearances that have left even seasoned observers uneasy. Despite an MRI scan that the administration insists returned 'normal results,' the physical evidence of a man in retreat has become difficult to ignore.

From a prominent purple bruise on his right hand—which the White House implausibly attributed to 'shaking too many hands'—to several instances where the President appeared to doze off during critical meetings, the optics are increasingly problematic for a leader who built his brand on tireless vitality.

Geopolitical Rivals and the Spectre of Donald Trump's Cognitive Decline

For Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, these visible cracks in the presidential facade are more than just tabloid fodder; they are tactical opportunities.

Mark Shanahan, an associate professor of Political Engagement at the University of Surrey, suggests that the world's autocrats are watching with predatory interest. Speaking to the iPaper, Shanahan warned that world leaders already view the President's reputation as 'handle with care.'

'The likes of Putin and Xi will see any decline as an opportunity to press their interests,' Shanahan observed, noting that these leaders have already found success in 2025 by navigating around a distracted or diminished US executive.

The human consequence of this perceived weakness is significant. For traditional allies, a President struggling with his faculties becomes an 'unreliable ally,' potentially forcing European and Asian partners to distance themselves from Washington to protect their own sovereign interests.

The historical parallels are hard to miss. Shanahan pointed out how quickly the American public turned against Joe Biden once his own physical and mental struggles became impossible to mask.

If the current President's age is truly 'catching up with him fast,' the fallout could be even more explosive. Beyond the loyal MAGA core, the broader electorate is unlikely to remain silent if they feel the Commander-in-Chief is no longer at the wheel.

A President Under Pressure: Cognitive Decline and Public Trust

Donald Trump, ever the pugilist, has not taken these suggestions lying down. During a rally on Saturday, 21 December, he once again attempted to pivot the conversation, bragging that he had 'aced' several cognitive tests and remains in 'perfect health.'

He painted the examinations as a Herculean feat, telling supporters: 'I did something no other president's ever done. I took cognitive tests because I know that and by the way, not easy.'

However, the President's defensive posture may be doing more harm than good. Critics like late-night host Jimmy Kimmel have been quick to lampoon his boasts, while online discourse has been flooded with speculation ranging from chronic venous insufficiency to more severe neurological concerns.

The visible bruise on his hand, which appeared unconcealed for the first time during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, has become a lightning rod for those demanding greater transparency from the administration.

As the US enters the final days of 2025, the question of whether the President is physically and mentally fit to serve has moved from the fringes of political gossip to the centre of global security.

In a world where Russia and China are actively testing the limits of American resolve, the perception of a 'mess' in the Oval Office is a risk that extends far beyond the borders of the United States.