Rubio calls Trump health concerns 'absurd and ridiculous'
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- 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.
"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.
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.
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.
Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.