Reuters/Ipsos, one of the world's leading global polling organizations, on 24/2 announced survey results of 4,638 adults across the United States, revealing that 61% of respondents believe Trump is "becoming more erratic with age".

This sentiment was shared by 89% of Democratic voters, 30% of Republican voters, and 64% of independent voters. The survey was conducted over six days, concluding on 23/2, with a margin of error of two percentage points.

Reuters/Ipsos released the survey just before Trump, 79, delivered his State of the Union address to Congress, at a time when he was facing mounting pressure.

The White House rejected the survey results, calling them "fabricated and desperate stories". Spokesperson Davis Ingle stated that Trump distinguished himself from his predecessor Joe Biden through his "sharpness, unparalleled energy, and historic level of public accessibility".

Trump closes his eyes, appearing to doze during a cabinet meeting on 2/12. Photo: AFP

The survey results also revealed that a majority of Americans perceive the nation's political leadership as generally "too old", with around 79% stating that elected officials in Washington are too old to represent most Americans. The average age in the US Senate is about 64, while in the House of Representatives, it is 58.

Democratic voters tend to prefer younger politicians, with 58% believing the Senate's top Democrat, Chuck Schumer, 75, is too old to continue serving.

Trump returned to the White House in 1/2025 at 78, becoming the oldest president in US history to take office.

His predecessor, Joe Biden, was widely perceived to have experienced a decline in mental sharpness due to old age during his term. Biden concluded his term at 82, older than any president in US history.

81% of Republican voters still consider Trump "clear-headed", unchanged from a 2023 survey. Meanwhile, the proportion of Democratic voters who believe the president is capable of handling challenges decreased to 19%, down from 29% previously.

Among independent voters, 36% believe Trump is still clear-headed, a decrease from 53% in 2023.

Duc Trung (According to Reuters, AFP, AP)