'Who writes this crap?' New Republic suggests Trump might have syphilis (like Hitler, of course!)

Sarah D. | 2:48 PM on February 17, 2017

Probably the lowest form of journalism is baselessly proposing psychoanalytical or medical explanations for political behavior.

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) February 17, 2017

Can you believe Donald Trump keeps trashing the media? It’s just so shocking, especially when you see quality journalism like this from the New Republic:

Could there really be a medical explanation for Trump's bizarre mannerisms? https://t.co/7oMmcTfxfa pic.twitter.com/cr62rePVHH

— The New Republic (@newrepublic) February 17, 2017

If there is, it’s probably an STD. That’s what Dr. Steven Beutler thinks, anyway:

Physicians like me have also taken notice of Trump’s bizarre, volatile behavior. Given our experience, we can’t help but wonder if there’s a medical diagnosis to be made. After all, many medical conditions exhibit their first symptoms in the form of psychiatric issues and personality changes. One condition in particular is notable for doing so: Neurosyphilis.

…

If indeed Trump has neurosyphilis, he’d be in famous company. Al Capone had it. So did composers Frederick Delius and Franz Schubert. Many others were suspected of having it, including Hitler, Mussolini, and Ivan the Terrible. What might enable us to eliminate Trump from this group? Two simple blood tests, in combination, can determine whether a patient has syphilis now or had it in the past. If both tests are negative, then he doesn’t have neurosyphilis. If one or both tests are positive, further evaluation, probably including a spinal tap, would be in order.

The importance—both to Trump and the nation—of establishing or ruling out this diagnosis cannot be understated, because this infection is treatable. Without treatment, however, the disease is progressive: It can make for a rather ugly end to one’s life. Whether Trump emerged unscathed from his “personal Vietnam” is now a question that he should explore with his personal physician.