Donald Trump made an unusual gesture during a rally in Pennsylvania, impersonating a duck, following his claims of excelling in cognitive tests. The former president, aged 78, dismissed concerns about his mental acuity during a town hall event in Lancaster, addressing topics such as climate, the economy, and immigration. Trump asserted that despite his age, he is not nearing 80 years old.
After insisting on his cognitive sharpness, Trump proceeded to mimic a duck to emphasise his support for increasing fracking in Pennsylvania. He expressed the need to double or triple current fracking operations in the state, gesturing like a duck while saying, “frack, frack, frack”. This quirky moment came after the former president boasted of taking and passing two cognitive tests with flying colours, claiming he aced them both.
During the town hall, Trump referenced a purported article in The Wall Street Journal that commended his mental acuity, contrasting it with allegations of cognitive issues in others, including Vice President Kamala Harris. He called for cognitive tests for all presidential and vice-presidential candidates, dismissing claims that such tests would be unconstitutional. Trump’s refusal to disclose detailed health information contrasts with Harris’s release of summary medical records ahead of her 60th birthday.
As the US presidential candidates engage in debates over their physical and mental fitness, Trump’s antics and statements continue to stir controversy. With the election drawing near, the focus on candidates’ cognitive abilities remains a prominent issue.