Donald Trump is no longer the same man from four years ago, according to a retired psychologist.

The former president traveled to Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, near Gettysburg, where the 1863 Civil War battle took place, for a campaign rally in April before he was required to make court appearances for his criminal hush money trial. Commenting on Trump's remarks during the campaign, Dr. John Gartner, a retired psychologist who taught psychiatry as a part-time assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University Medical School for 28 years, said they were a "classic example of demented speech."

Gartner recently told the Mirror that Trump was "totally disoriented" at the event, adding that his recent behavior indicated that his mental condition was "deteriorating." Melania Trump's husband allegedly minced his words, hurled a "loose set of associations" and didn't even know what "Gettysburg" was during his speech.


Donald Trump
Donald Trump visits Trump International Golf Links on June 25, 2016 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

"When he's there, he has no idea what Gettysburg is," Gartner said. "I don't mean he's ignorant about history or he doesn't understand the truth -- I mean he's drawing a total blank. He's disoriented."

Gartner pointed out Trump's use of superlatives in his speech. He described the battle as "unbelievable," "interesting," "vicious," "horrible" and "beautiful." He also used the word "wow" several times. Gartner noted that those words were only fillers.

"He has no idea what Gettysburg is -- that's why he's using all these superlatives," the expert added.

The ex-POTUS also reportedly made up a story about Robert E. Lee, a Confederate general during the American Civil War who launched the military invasion of Pennsylvania and fabricated a quote. Trump also reportedly stared at a hill, but he was "not comprehending" and was "blankly looking" while speaking about traveling to Gettysburg "to look and to watch," according to Gartner.


Vince McMahon (L) and Donald Trump
Vince McMahon (L) and Donald Trump attend a press conference about the WWE at the Austin Straubel International Airport on June 22, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mark A. Wallenfang/Getty Images

"Nobody believes that Donald Trump has made some solemn visit to Gettysburg to look and watch and contemplate the horrors of the Civil War," he continued.

However, Gartner noted that Trump was not lying. Instead, he was delivering a confabulated story.

"The difference is a lie, number one, is comprehensible, and number two, has a purpose -- I either want to make you admire me or I wanna steal your money, or I want to punish someone," Gartner explained.

"But these stories are not comprehensive and so, therefore, couldn't really persuade anyone of anything but also don't have a purpose. They don't make him look good. He doesn't get anything out of it. They're just bizarre."

Gartner added that Trump was "so out of control in the first place." He also claimed that "people who know him well are saying he's not the same man he was four years ago."


Donald Trump and Melania Trump
President Donald Trump and his wife Melania arrive at a reception for NATO leaders hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace on December 3, 2019 in London, England. Richard Pohle - WPA Pool/Getty Images

He explained that those surrounding Trump probably noticed his erratic behavior and impulsiveness, which allegedly became more frequent than before. He added that these were part of a "fundamentally malignant narcissistic personality disorder," which he said Trump may have.

"This is what happens with dementia -- your personality disorder gets 10 times worse," he added.

A video of Trump's speech on April 13 in Pennsylvania was shared on X, formerly Twitter. After seeing the clip, netizens said he seemingly had no idea what he was talking about.

"Here, our Union was saved by the immortal heroes of Gettysburg. Gettysburg. What an unbelievable battle that was, the Battle of Gettysburg. What an unbelievable," Trump trailed off in the middle of his speech.

"I mean, it was so much and so interesting and so vicious and horrible -- and beautiful in so many ways. It represented such a big portion of the success of this country. Gettysburg. Wow! I go to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to look and to watch."

"The statement of Robert E. Lee, who's no longer in favor -- did you ever notice that? No longer in favor. 'Never fight uphill, me boys, never fight uphill.' They were fighting uphill. He said, 'Wow, that was a big mistake.' He lost his great general, and they were fighting. 'Never fight uphill, me boys!' But it was too late."

One netizen questioned why he said he went to the place "to look and to watch" as if the battle was ongoing. Many also debunked the quote he claimed Lee made, and several disapproved of Trump seemingly glorifying Lee, who was a Southern army but owned slaves.

"He obviously forgot he was in Pennsylvania, part of 'the north,' speaking to people whose ancestral relatives possibly fought and died trying to defeat Gen. Lee and preserve the Union. I would not think Gen. Lee was ever much of a favorite for the majority of people there," one commented on the clip with a thinking emoji.

Several netizens also wondered why Trump praised the Battle of Gettysburg, even describing it as "beautiful." The three-day conflict was the bloodiest single battle in the Civil War, with more than 50,000 estimated casualties.

Gartner previously said that Trump was "incapable of doing the job" amid his efforts to be reelected. The retired psychologist also shared four signs of dementia he spotted in Barron Trump's dad.


Melania and Donald Trump
- Former US President Donald Trump (L) stands with his wife Melania Trump (R) as they depart a funeral for Amalija Knavs, the former first lady's mother, outside the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, in Palm Beach, Florida, on January 18, 2024. GIORGIO VIERA/AFP via Getty Images
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