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๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia /Health & Science

Rubio calls Trump health concerns 'absurd and ridiculous'

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended President Donald Trump against claims of mental and physical unfitness.
  • Rubio stated Trump works "inhumane hours" and is not cognitively impaired, calling concerns "absurd and ridiculous."
  • The defense comes as polls show public doubt about Trump's capacity to lead, despite his doctors declaring him in "excellent health."

Secretary of State Marco Rubio forcefully rejected suggestions that President Donald Trump is mentally or physically unfit to lead the nation. Testifying before a congressional committee, Rubio dismissed video clips showing Trump with his eyes closed as "absurd and ridiculous."

I don't even know how to respond to that, other than to tell you that it's absurd and ridiculous.

โ€” Marco RubioResponding to video clips shown at a congressional hearing where President Trump appeared to be dozing.

"I assure you, this is not a president that sleeps or is cognitively impaired in any way, shape, or form," Rubio told the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He asserted that Trump is "incredibly active, much more so in many cases than much younger people that are around him." Rubio described the president as working "inhumane hours" and getting very little sleep.

You may not like his policies, you may not like the decisions he's made. But I assure you, this is not a president that sleeps or is cognitively impaired in any way, shape, or form.

โ€” Marco RubioDefending President Trump's mental and physical fitness during a congressional hearing.

The defense comes amid persistent public questions about the health of the 79-year-old president, the oldest ever inaugurated. While Trump's doctors recently declared him in "excellent health," a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll indicated that 59% of respondents believe he lacks the mental capacity to lead, and 55% think he lacks the physical health.

And in fact is incredibly active, much more so in many cases than much younger people that are around him. Those are facts.

โ€” Marco RubioAsserting President Trump's high level of activity during a congressional hearing.

Rubio's strong defense occurred on the same day Trump suggested that current Vice President JD Vance and Rubio could form a formidable presidential ticket in 2028, calling them "hard to beat."

I talk to him at all hours of the day and night. He works inhumane hours.

โ€” Marco RubioDescribing President Trump's work ethic to a congressional committee.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.