Newsmax chief Christopher Ruddy is doing some serious sucking up to the Trump administration — probably necessary since Newsmax has proclaimed itself the most pro-Trump network. Ruddy kicked off a Feb. 12 column by trying to shut down questions about Trump’s health while touting his own presence at a conference in Germany:
I am proud to stand here at the opening of the Munich Security Conference, surrounded by heads of state, generals, diplomats, intelligence officials, and policy thinkers from across the globe.
But I must admit, I’m surprised by one question I keep getting from dignitaries — a question that seems oddly personal given the gravity of this gathering: How’s Donald Trump’s health?
That question has exploded across social media platforms and cable news chatter, fueled by wild claims that the president has early-stage dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, has suffered strokes, or is in cognitive decline.
Scroll through Facebook, X, YouTube, and other platforms, and you’ll find endless videos confidently declaring that Donald Trump is a walking zombie of some sort.
Here in Munich — where the agenda includes war and peace in Europe, China’s global ambitions, Middle East stability, NATO’s future, and the security of Western civilization — those rumors feel not just petty, but politically motivated.
And they are.
So let’s pause and ask: Why is this question dominating in certain circles when the stakes for global peace and security are so high?
You might remember that Newsmax tried to walk back its original claim that Trump had an MRI, followed by its resident doctor, Chauncey Crandall, trying to explain away Trump’s aspirin-related bruising. But apparently, we’re not allowed to question Trump’s health. Ruddy then talked up right-wing polling:
Donald Trump is doing well in national polling, buoyed by strong approval among his base and solid support among likely voters.
Despite relentless attacks from much of the mainstream press, his numbers have remained resilient.
I recently reviewed a McLaughlin poll that asked voters whether President Trump is truly putting “America First” as a priority. An astonishing 65% said yes.
That’s a seismic admission by such a majority.
Even many voters who may not agree with every decision concede — deep down — that he is putting the country’s interests first.
Ruddy didn’t mention that McLaughlin is a highly biased pollster that has worked for Trump in the past. Instead, he talked up Trump’s alleged peace efforts:
Working with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the president has pushed forward diplomatic efforts in regions long considered intractable.
Agreements or ceasefires have been reached involving India and Pakistan, Armenia and Azerbaijan, and Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Gaza hostage standoff was brought to an end after intense negotiations.
NATO allies have committed to dramatically increasing defense spending, with a 5% benchmark no one thought possible.
The Ukraine-Russia conflict remains unresolved, but for the first time in over a year, all major parties are actively talking again. That alone represents movement in a war that once appeared frozen in escalation.
It is clear to me that President Trump will deliver a peace deal this year.
Ruddy then ratcheted up the gushing:
Let’s be clear: no credible, independently verified medical evidence has demonstrated that President Trump suffers from dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, or stroke-related cognitive impairment.
What we do see is a president maintaining an unbelievably active schedule with near-constant engagement.
I have known Donald Trump for decades. I have spoken with him frequently during that time and observed up close his mental acuity and energy.
Recently, I mentioned to him that I believe his mind may actually be sharper today than it was 10 years ago.
I said this because I have watched him engage in detailed discussions about geopolitics, economic data, and diplomatic history — recalling facts, timelines, and nuances with precision.
[…]Even after little sleep, his mind connects dots quickly. He delivers sharp observations, witty lines, and probing questions.
So why does all this matter?
Because the real question is not, “Does Trump have dementia?”
The real question is: How long can media institutions push narratives detached from verified evidence before they erode what little trust remains?
Ruddy concluded with a final bit of gushing:
We should be debating U.S. foreign policy, alliance structures, deterrence strategies, economic growth, China’s ambitions, NATO unity, and the architecture of global security.
Those issues will determine the stability of the world.
Social media speculation about the president’s sleep schedules will not.
We can and should hold any leader — Trump, Biden, or anyone else — accountable for their physical and cognitive fitness to serve.
But that accountability must rest on verified medical evidence and serious journalism — not partisan amplification and highly edited viral clips.
The world is too dangerous for anything less.
Newsmax is not exactly serious journalism, and it has never sought “verified medical evidence” when it comes to Trump.