US3 min(s) read
Published 09:32 05 May 2026 GMT
Donald Trump’s former lawyer has publicly called for the president to step down.
Tyler Cobb, who served on the 79-year-old's legal team from July 2017 to May 2018, said the president should leave office due to what he described as a deteriorating mental state.
Speaking to iNews, Cobb said that during Trump’s first term, aides would step in to restrain risky or unlawful ideas. Now, he claims, the president is surrounded by people who won’t challenge him.
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The lawyer also pointed to what he believes is a serious cognitive decline, describing a mix of "frontal lobe decline" and "possible dementia," which he says has made his personality traits more extreme.
"The narcissism has always been an issue for him but in an absence of the impulse control the frontal lobe provides it has unleashed furiously, which is why we see revenge, corruption, delusions of grandeur and [alleged] abuses of power," he said.
"There has never been a President before who announced war crimes he would commit at 4am or danced on the grave of decorated public servants like Robert Mueller," he added.
Cobb went further, warning that the US is now effectively under unstable leadership.
Referring to Trump’s late-night social media activity and repeated attacks on public figures, he said "We’re governed by a madman at this stage, there’s no other way to put it".
Cobb’s comments come as pressure grows to consider using the 25th Amendment, which allows a president to be removed if they are unfit for office.
Introduced after the 1963 assassination of President John F Kennedy, the amendment allows for removal if a majority of senior officials agree the president cannot perform their duties.
Democrat Jamie Raskin has already proposed forming a commission to assess Trump’s fitness, working alongside Vice President JD Vance.
"Public trust in Donald Trump’s ability to meet the duties of his office has dropped to unprecedented lows as he threatens to destroy entire civilizations, unleashes chaos in the Middle East while violating congressional war powers, aggressively insults the Pope of the Catholic Church and sends out artistic renderings online likening himself to Jesus Christ," Raskin warned, per The Mirror.
"We are at a dangerous precipice, and it is now a matter of national security for Congress to fulfill its responsibilities under the 25th Amendment to protect the American people from an increasingly volatile and unstable situation," he added.
Concerns about Trump’s condition have also been fueled by recent public appearances.
During a state visit in Washington, D.C., visible bruising and discoloration on his hands drew widespread attention after images circulated online.
Journalist Aaron Rupar highlighted the issue, writing: "Trump's right hand has been in bad shape for a long time now, but this picture taken today shows discoloration on the back of his left hand."
The marks have reportedly appeared multiple times over the past year. One social media user claimed: "He's getting IV drugs. 100%. What kind, is the question. A White House reporter should just ask him that question.”
Officials have dismissed such concerns. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt previously attributed the bruising to frequent handshaking, saying: "President Trump has bruises on his hand because he's constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day.”
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