Is Donald Trump Slowing Down?

A number of gaffes involving former President Donald Trump could lead to more questions over his age as the 2024 presidential campaign ramps up.

Trump's former director of strategic communications Alyssa Farah Griffin said Trump has not been sharp enough speaking at his rallies and is in fact "slowing down."

Farah Griffin told CNN's State of the Union: "It's kind of remarkable, I've been watching the clips from Trump's visit to Iowa and I'm stunned having spent a lot of time with him in 2020 and years before—he is slowing down."

When approached by Newsweek for comment, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung said: "Alyssa Griffin is slowing down and she needs to get it checked out."

Associate Professor at George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, Peter Loge told Newsweek: "Pundits shouldn't make medical diagnoses… We should leave medical evaluations to medical professionals."

Similar concerns have been raised about President Joe Biden. The 46th president, 81, has been mocked on social media for a series of gaffes, including when he suggested his father, who has been dead since 2002, was at the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

A poll published by the Associated Press and Norc Center for Public Affairs in August said 77 percent of American voters considered age an issue if Biden were to win a second term.

It is this that allowed Republicans and Trump's team to play into a narrative regarding Biden's cognitive ability.

"President Biden looks old because he is old," Loge said. "His age may or may not have anything to do with his ability to govern or mental sharpness."

This is likely to affect Republican strategy in the upcoming presidential election.

University of Chicago political science Professor John Mark Hansen told Newsweek that the GOP "will do what they've always done" and "assert that the candidates are strong leaders, not try to prove it."

He said: "Biden will draw a contrast between his steadiness and moderation and Trump's impulsiveness and recklessness. Trump will do his usual name calling and tough-guy posturing."

Criticism being leveled at Trump over his age does not seem to have affected him as much as it has Biden. Only 51 percent of people responding to the AP/Norc poll said age was an issue for Trump, who is just four years younger than his Democrat rival.

Loge suggested this may be because Americans are used to listening to Trump make outlandish statements.

"The American people already have a pretty good idea who both Biden and Trump are. Our opinions are set," he said. "They are a bit like actors who get famous for playing one role, and have trouble landing other parts or other types of characters.

"While Trump is also getting up there in years, people tend to view him as strong and commanding."

Hansen added that, should scrutiny of Trump's age increase, his team's tactics are unlikely to involve easing off on their attacks on Biden.

"They won't temper it a bit," Hansen said. "That would be a concession and Trump and his handlers never make concessions."

In November, Trump posted a letter on social media from his physician that said his cognitive health is "exceptional." It also said Trump "reduced his weight through an improved diet and continued daily physical activity."

Trump has made some references to his overall health in recent years and admitted in an interview with the Washington Post before confirming his 2024 candidacy that it was a factor in his decision to run for office again.

"You always have to talk about health," Trump said. "You look like you're in good health, but tomorrow, you get a letter from a doctor saying come see me again. That's not good when they use the word again."