General Discussion

Edema, indicated by swollen ankles, and easily bruised hands (and arms) are common symptoms in older adults who are otherwise sufficiently healthy to live additional decades. On the other hand, his cognitive and psychological decline have advanced to a point where he is incapable of managing any enterprise, let alone America's government. My belief is that the current authoritarian takeover is consistent with the predilections of Trump's personality disorder but is largely being managed by others behind the headlines. Trump is a useful idiot to other forces and is allowed to take his "cut" as a figurehead of the kleptocracy. His primary value to those forces is providing diversion from their sabotage and looting. His administration has already laid the foundation for unopposed authoritarian rule. The only missing piece is creating a system of foolproof sham elections- and they are working on it. If and when that piece is in place, Trump's risk as a loose cannon will exceed his value as a figurehead and he will be gone.