WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former President Donald Trump mistakenly referred to his former White House physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, as “Doc Ronny Johnson” during a speech on Saturday. This gaffe occurred just moments after Trump suggested President Joe Biden should take a cognitive test similar to the one Trump claimed to have “aced.”
Trump boasted about his performance on the cognitive test administered by Jackson in 2018, emphasizing that he got “every question right.” However, he misnamed Jackson, now a congressman from Texas, which went unnoticed by Trump himself as he continued his speech.
“I took a cognitive test, and I aced it. Doc Ronny — Doc Ronny Johnson,” Trump said. “Does everyone know Ronny Johnson, congressman from Texas? He was the White House doctor.”
This incident is not isolated; Trump has previously mixed up the names of prominent individuals. In January, he confused GOP presidential rival Nikki Haley with Rep. Nancy Pelosi while discussing the Jan. 6 Capitol attack. He has also mistakenly referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as the leader of Turkey and swapped President Joe Biden’s name with that of former President Barack Obama, which he later claimed was done sarcastically.
Biden Campaign’s Response
The Biden campaign quickly capitalized on Trump’s latest mix-up, posting a clip of the incident on X (formerly Twitter), which garnered over 18,000 likes. Campaign spokesperson James Singer pointed to a CNBC report highlighting CEOs’ observations of Trump as meandering and unfocused during meetings.
“Trump is unhinged, unable to focus, and diminishing before our very eyes,” Singer stated, emphasizing Trump’s recent advocacy for corporate tax cuts and disdain for the people of Milwaukee.
Age and Cognitive Concerns
Both Trump, 78, and Biden, 81, have faced scrutiny over their mental sharpness and age. Voters express more concern about Biden’s age compared to Trump’s, according to recent polls. Biden himself has had similar slip-ups, such as confusing former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, who passed away in 2017, with former chancellor Angela Merkel, and referencing former French president François Mitterrand, who died in 1996, instead of current President Emmanuel Macron.
Conclusion
Trump’s recent gaffe during a speech highlights the ongoing scrutiny both he and President Biden face regarding their cognitive abilities and age. With both presidential candidates having made notable name mix-ups, the issue continues to be a focal point for voters and campaigns alike as the 2024 election approaches.
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