Donald Trump’s nephew discussed the family’s history of dementia and possible signs of the condition in his uncle during an interview last week.
Fred Trump III, the son of Donald Trump’s late brother, Fred Trump Jr., wrote in his book about his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Fred Trump Sr. died at 93 years old in 1999, eight years after he was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disease.
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During an appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Dean Obeidallah Show,” Fred Trump III was asked if he sees anything in Donald Trump that reminds him of his grandfather during those years.
He suggested he could see some indicators based on his experiences, but noted he’s no medical expert.
“You know, Donald said, ‘Oh, my father was tiptop until the end.’ I can assure you, that was not the case,” he said.
“I know what I saw in my grandfather,” he added. “I know what I saw in Donald’s older sister, my aunt Maryanne, who in the end … I am not a doctor, I don’t pretend to be. I just, I know the warning signs from both of my grandfathers.”
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Donald Trump’s sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, died at 86 in November last year.
“Donald’s cousin, John Walters, had dementia. It runs in the family,” Fred Trump III went on, adding of his uncle: “He looks older. And I get it … anybody who is in that office looks different than when they come out. But the things he’s spewing and the craziness, and he just can’t stick to a message. And he used to be able to stick to a message.”
He noted the Republican nominee’s failure to stay on topic at a speech in North Carolina last week that his campaign said would focus on the economy.
“He had one goal. Talk about the economy,” he said.
The Trump campaign did not immediately return a request for comment.