WH Responds: Trump’s Throat Was Dry During Speech, ‘Nothing To It’

Vice President Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump delivers a statement to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Vice President Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump delivers a statement to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 201... Vice President Mike Pence listens as President Donald Trump delivers a statement to officially recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) MORE LESS
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The White House on Wednesday responded to speculation about the President’s at times odd-sounding speech during his address recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

“His throat was dry. There’s nothing to it,” White House spokesman Raj Shah told the Los Angeles Times.

The paper asked if the President’s performance could indicate health concerns.

“I know what you’re getting at,” Shah replied. “I’m saying there’s nothing to it.”

Toward the end of Trump’s speech — which was widely criticized by world leaders as counterproductive — Trump seemed to have trouble getting some words out.

It recalled another address, in November, when the President’s speech seemed similarly affected until he stopped for a sip of water.

Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah speculated that Trump could have been having problems with dentures.

Latest Livewire

Notable Replies

  1. His dentures were trying to get out of his mouth. Wouldn’t you?

  2. And clearly read off a teleprompter - one straight ahead and another off to his left.

  3. It did sound like dentures at the end and that’s awesome enough, God knows. But he also sounded like he was struggling, both with pronunciation and general breath control, especially in the last few minutes. If just normal stuff exhausts him you think of, I don’t know, cardiac issues, diabetes, energy-sapping conditions like that.

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

140 more replies

Participants

Avatar for littlegirlblue Avatar for ncsteve Avatar for matthew1961 Avatar for mattinpa Avatar for eggrollian Avatar for squirreltown Avatar for losamigos Avatar for thebigragu Avatar for bigbraxstone Avatar for joelopines Avatar for maxaroo Avatar for keninmn Avatar for jeffrey Avatar for leftcoaster Avatar for dickweed Avatar for khaaannn Avatar for benthere Avatar for reggid Avatar for thunderclapnewman Avatar for tena Avatar for erratum Avatar for oistein Avatar for cub_calloway Avatar for gromilini

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: