Post-debate analysis: We all need to take a breath

Post-debate analysis: We all need to take a breath

Author: Really American Media July 5, 2024 Duration: 1:06:23

Hosts Dr. John Gartner and Dr. Harry Segal are joined by geriatrician and dementia expert Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk to analyze Biden’s debate performance and determine what signs of dementia, if any, he actually displayed. Dr. Vince Greenwood is also back on the show to help us evaluate the signs of aging and cognitive decline shown from both candidates.


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Welcome to another edition of Shrinking Trump, where we normally talk about how Donald Trump’s behavior shows signs of dementia, and to point out how the media improperly covers it. Since the debate, however, many Americans, including us, have been left wondering if Biden's performance was simply a bad episode or if it's a sign of a worsening cognitive condition.


Dr. Gartner is optimistic, and based on available data is concluding that Biden is showing normal signs of aging and not suffering from a cognitive condition. Dr. Segal, however, is not so sure.   


“What accounts for what happened last Thursday,” Dr. Segal asked. “Was it simply exhaustion? Or was it a cognitive decline that we're now being allowed to see? I think it’s very important for us to ask these questions.” 


In this episode, our hosts analyze Biden’s appearance and behavior in the week that followed the poor debate performance, including a rally in North Carolina and a strong speech about the Supreme Court presidential immunity ruling.


We’ll talk about how Biden’s aging should not necessarily be confused with incompetence. “It looked so terrible,” Dr. Gartner said “And it had such a terrible impact that the truth might not even matter. But if we're looking at the truth, we have to understand how someone can show signs of aging but also be competent.”


We’ll highlight some of Trump’s cognitive failures from the week to demonstrate the clear difference from Biden’s normal signs of aging and Trump’s clear decline. “The symptoms we're seeing in Trump are worse and more constant,” John said. “Biden may have not been able to complete his sentence properly, but at no point during the debate did he think Obama was President. He's not making up quotes from Ulysses S. Grant. He's not talking nonsense about sharks and batteries.”


You’ll also get our take on why Biden’s debate performance was such a flop and hear who John thinks is primarily to blame for the whole debacle. Trust us, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

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Each week, psychologists John Gartner and Harry Segal sit down for a session focused on a singular, complex subject: the mind of Donald Trump. In their Shrinking Trump podcast, produced by Really American Media, they apply their clinical expertise to publicly available behavior and speech, methodically documenting signs of cognitive decline and exploring the ramifications of his diagnosed malignant narcissism. They are joined by a roster of expert guests from various fields, turning each episode into a nuanced discussion that goes beyond standard political commentary. Dr. Gartner, a former Johns Hopkins psychiatry professor and founder of the Duty To Warn association, brings a particular urgency to these conversations, framing them within a broader ethical context. This isn't about partisan politics; it's a forensic psychological examination of a figure who has profoundly impacted the national landscape. Tuning in, you'll hear a careful, evidence-based analysis that breaks down rhetoric and action through a clinical lens, offering listeners a distinct perspective found in few other news and politics podcasts. The dialogue is direct, informed, and dedicated to understanding the psychological drivers behind the headlines, providing a deeper framework for interpreting ongoing events.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 70

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