As the first major debate draws closer, Donald Trump’s campaign is struggling to keep its focus. During a recent speech, Trump appeared confused about who he’s actually running against, bouncing between referring to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. The confusion was striking and has only added to concerns about Trump’s cognitive state and his ability to run a coherent campaign. This episode, along with his frequent lapses in memory, has left both political commentators and voters questioning if Trump is truly fit for the presidency.

In an awkward and rambling moment during a recent appearance, Trump fumbled when he couldn’t decide whether to refer to his opponent as “crooked Joe” or “sleepy Joe.” The indecision highlighted his growing disarray, and the fact that he conflated Biden and Harris as if he’s unsure who is running against him underscored how far his focus has drifted. As Trump’s words grew more disjointed, even the Fox News hosts, who are typically sympathetic to him, struggled to follow along or assist him in clarifying his points. They remained silent as Trump continued his incoherent remarks.

Trump’s campaign seems to be caught in a spiral of confusion and desperation. His latest appearance before the Economic Club of New York, which aired on conservative media, didn’t help. Rather than delivering a coherent message on policy, Trump’s speech was filled with unfocused tangents and off-topic comments, such as his bizarre mention of Hannibal Lecter and a rant about foreign tariffs funding everything from infrastructure to child care. His inability to articulate a concrete plan only served to expose the lack of substance behind his rhetoric. The speech was a clear departure from any semblance of preparation or strategy, showcasing a former president who appeared out of touch with the pressing issues facing the nation.

Even more telling was Trump’s bizarre social media post, in which he referred to Joe Biden as “crooked” and “the worst president in history” while also implying that Biden’s presidency was stolen from him by a conspiracy led by Barack Obama, Kamala Harris, Nancy Pelosi, and others. The unhinged message suggested that Trump believed Biden was preparing to take over the Democratic nomination once more—an idea completely divorced from reality. This kind of erratic behavior, paired with Trump’s apparent inability to recall whether he is running against Biden or Harris, has made clear that his campaign is floundering.

In a particularly striking moment of his rambling speech at the Economic Forum, Trump was asked about child care policies. Rather than provide a coherent answer, he stumbled through an explanation about tariffs, somehow attempting to connect them to child care costs. His inability to offer any meaningful solutions for working families, a crucial issue in the current political landscape, showcased his detachment from the realities of everyday Americans. The contrast with Harris, who has been clear and focused on supporting working families, could not be starker.

JD Vance, one of Trump’s allies, didn’t help matters during a recent interview on CNN when he was asked about child care. Vance offered a vague response about grandparents stepping in to care for children, further highlighting the lack of serious policy proposals coming from Trump’s team. Both Trump and Vance have consistently shown a lack of concern for issues that matter to working families, preferring instead to focus on personal attacks and divisive rhetoric.

The disorganization of Trump’s campaign has been evident in his recent public appearances, including his attempts to frame Kamala Harris as a key opponent. Trump’s frequent references to Harris, sometimes as if she were the primary Democratic candidate, reflect both his ongoing fixation on her and the confusion swirling around his campaign. His recent incoherent remarks have only reinforced the notion that Trump is struggling to maintain focus as the election heats up.

Critics have noted that the media, especially conservative outlets, often downplay Trump’s gaffes and erratic behavior. While Biden’s occasional slip-ups are seized upon and turned into headline news, Trump’s far more frequent and alarming lapses are brushed aside. This uneven treatment does a disservice to voters, as it obscures the full extent of Trump’s cognitive decline and prevents a fair comparison between the candidates.

Despite Trump’s increasingly chaotic behavior, he remains fixated on presenting himself as a successful businessman who can manage the country like one of his companies. Yet, his track record in business tells a different story. Trump’s ventures, including his social media platform Truth Social, have consistently floundered. Truth Social has lost 80% of its value since going public, and Trump is expected to sell his shares at a significant loss when the lock-up period ends. Despite these failures, Trump continues to push the narrative that he can run the country like a business—though if his history is any indication, that could spell disaster for the nation.

Ultimately, Trump’s ongoing struggles to articulate a clear vision for the future are emblematic of his broader campaign woes. As Kamala Harris and Joe Biden focus on substantive issues like child care, healthcare, and the economy, Trump remains fixated on personal attacks, conspiracy theories, and incoherent policy ideas. With each passing day, it becomes increasingly clear that Trump’s cognitive decline and lack of preparedness are serious liabilities, raising questions about whether he is capable of leading the country again.

Trump’s latest misstep, forgetting who he’s running against and delivering rambling, incoherent speeches, only further highlights his deepening struggles. As voters prepare for the upcoming debates and election season, Trump’s inability to stay on message or offer coherent solutions is becoming more and more evident. Whether or not his supporters will continue to rally behind him in the face of these glaring issues remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that Trump’s campaign is in disarray, and his declining cognitive state is impossible to ignore.