As people age, they often lose some control over what they say. This change is called disinhibition. It’s when the brain becomes less able to hold back thoughts that might be inappropriate or offensive.

This means older adults, like Trump, might speak more impulsively, without filtering their words.

What to look for with disinhibition?

Disinhibition often becomes noticeable around age 65, though it can vary from person to person. It’s part of a broader set of changes that can come with aging and affect how people communicate.

Here are other symptoms that can appear alongside disinhibition:

• Word-finding difficulties – Older adults might struggle to find the right words, often using simpler terms or repeating familiar phrases. This is tied to how memory changes with age, making it harder to retrieve less-used words.
• Shorter attention span – People may have difficulty focusing or staying on topic as they age. They might jump from one idea to another, reflecting reduced mental flexibility.
• Increased impulsivity – Disinhibition can also lead to saying things impulsively without considering whether they are offensive, exaggerated, or inappropriate.
• Difficulty with complex language – People may avoid long or complicated sentences, using simpler language instead.
• Memory lapses – Memory issues, such as forgetting parts of a conversation or repeating stories, often occur alongside disinhibition, affecting overall communication.

These changes can all contribute to the shift in communication style in aging adults, including public figures like Trump.

Trump hits all the marks with facts in evidence for all these symptoms.

This cluster of symptoms is often associated with age-related cognitive decline. When these symptoms are more pronounced, they can fall under the broader category of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a stage between normal age-related changes and more serious conditions like dementia.

If these symptoms are severe and impact daily functioning, they may be part of conditions such as:

1. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) – This condition often starts with changes in behavior and language, including disinhibition, impulsivity, and difficulties with word recall.
2. Alzheimer’s disease – In its early stages, people can experience memory loss, disinhibition, and a reduced ability to find the right words or follow complex conversations.

These symptoms don’t always mean a person has a serious condition; they can also be part of normal aging.

I started learning about semantics and retrieval at UC Davis in 1980.

One of the things I studied in rhetoric was Semantic Memory Retrieval. It is recalling words readily available in a person’s memory. I’m giving you the “street” version. Scientists are studying this more thoroughly, but it can help us understand Trump’s recent word choices.

Dr. Michael Motley has extensively researched language production and cognitive processes. He was my professor at UC Davis. A racist Texan, he was a horrible professor, but his work fascinated me.

Then, it’s only a matter of time before the truth slips out. “When we’re thinking about something, we’re priming the relevant words; they’re being prepared to be spoken in case we need them,” says Motley. With so many options, the word we choose can be revealing.

Read more from the BBC

He studied slips of the tongue, offering a window into understanding how language is processed and retrieved in the brain. These verbal errors, also known as Freudian slips, occur when an unintended word is spoken, revealing underlying thoughts or feelings.

Motley’s investigations into these phenomena have shed light on the intricate workings of semantic memory—the system responsible for storing and retrieving general world knowledge, including word meanings and concepts. His research suggests that such slips can result from the complex interplay between different memory systems and cognitive processes.

Our brains retrieve words based on recent experiences or deep memories. That’s why my mom called Orchard Supply, LumberCity. This and increased disinhibition make it so she can’t stop herself. And we laughed every time (I also, thankfully, knew what she meant). For this reason, I’ve decided that all my future cats will have the same names as my first two cats. They’ll never catch on!

What is interesting are the choices he makes about his words right now.

1. Unfiltered Profanity

Trump’s increasing use of profanity—like calling Kamala Harris a “shit vice president”—is rooted in a combination of semantic memory retrieval and disinhibition.

This term isn’t just an impulsive outburst; it’s likely tied to his intense feelings about Mike Pence’s actions after the 2020 election. Pence’s perceived betrayal made “shit” a core descriptor in Trump’s mind, so it became the default when describing vice presidents. Especially those he’s running against.

As Trump perseveres in addressing the anger associated with Pence, the term remains close to the surface, making it more likely to be retrieved spontaneously.

How disinhibition plays a role: As Trump’s cognitive control diminishes with age, his ability to filter inappropriate language weakens. This reduced inhibition, combined with perseveration, makes offensive terms more likely to surface during speeches.

2. Frequent Sexual References

This weekend, at a rally, Trump made a crude joke about Arnold Palmer’s anatomy, calling him “all man.”

This explicit language isn’t new; it reflects Trump’s long-standing focus on machismo, success, and sexual bravado. We also includes his shame over everyone knowing he has a very small penis. Over time, these themes have become core to his self-concept, making sexual references readily accessible.

When Trump perseverates on ideas of strength or dominance, sexual language becomes a natural extension of his immediate vocabulary.

How disinhibition plays a role: As disinhibition lowers the social filters typically regulating such speech, Trump’s references to sex become more frequent and explicit. The combination of semantic retrieval and aging’s impact on self-restraint results in more unfiltered sexual remarks.

The term “enemy within” is a core part of Trump’s lexicon. It’s readily accessible because it aligns with his broader narrative of betrayal, especially following events like the 2020 election and the January 6th aftermath. This phrase resurfaces in speeches because it’s already well-primed in Trump’s mind, making it easy to retrieve in unscripted moments.

3. Projection of Personal Fears
The repeated use of “the enemy within” also reflects projection—Trump’s fears of disloyalty or perceived attacks from insiders.

By framing his opponents as internal enemies, Trump redirects the focus away from personal insecurities, such as accusations of corruption or incompetence. This linguistic strategy shifts blame, making others appear as threats rather than addressing his own vulnerabilities.

How disinhibition plays a role: As disinhibition increases with age, Trump’s use of charged terms like “enemy within” becomes more frequent and unfiltered. The loss of cognitive restraint makes it easier for such aggressive language to surface during speeches. The combination of semantic memory retrieval and reduced inhibition means provocative terms are more likely to appear without the usual self-censorship.

4. Crude Labeling and Attacks

Terms like “crooked,” “crazy,” and “radical” are not just convenient insults; they reflect Trump’s preoccupations and insecurities.

For example, his frequent use of “crooked” reveals a projection of his fears of being perceived as corrupt. The persistence of these labels in his rhetoric stems from his anxieties, making them close to the surface for quick retrieval.

How disinhibition plays a role:As Trump’s cognitive control diminishes, he becomes less able to filter his words, leading to more frequent and unrestrained use of these labels. This disinhibition makes his weaknesses more apparent, as the language he retrieves is driven by his insecurities, like projecting his concerns about corruption or inadequacy onto others​.

What to look for and why it matters.

Trump’s language provides clear indicators of cognitive decline, mainly through his use of semantic memory retrieval, perseveration, and disinhibition. As his ability to control language diminishes, we see a shift toward more impulsive and unfiltered speech. Here’s what to watch for:

• Repetition of familiar terms – Words like “crooked,” “shit,” or crude sexual references aren’t just spontaneous; they’re deeply embedded in Trump’s mind due to perseveration and constant retrieval from semantic memory.
• Frequent profanity and crude jokes – As disinhibition increases, expect more coarse language and explicit comments, which reflect a reduced capacity to self-censor.
• Simplified language and labeling – With declining cognitive control, Trump will likely rely even more on simple, blunt descriptors that reveal his insecurities, such as projecting accusations of corruption onto others.

Why This Matters for a Presidential Candidate

Cognitive decline can impact a leader’s decision-making, clarity of communication, and ability to inspire trust. A president’s words are not just personal expressions; they shape public discourse, influence global diplomacy, and reflect strategic priorities. When speech becomes unfiltered and less strategic, it raises concerns about a leader’s fitness for complex, high-stakes decision-making.

If you see these patterns becoming more pronounced, it’s not just about Trump’s rhetoric but the potential impact on leadership, governance, and public perception. Recognizing these signs is crucial for evaluating any candidate’s ability to handle the pressures and responsibilities of the presidency.