Ty Cobb, who served as a White House attorney during Donald Trump's first term, asserted on Thursday that the president's cognitive faculties have deteriorated at a faster rate since leaving office. Cobb pointed to Trump's ongoing, highly public dispute with Pope Leo XIV as primary evidence of this decline.
"When he attacks the pope and falsely tells the American public it's justified because the pontiff supports Iranian nuclear weapons—a position the pope has explicitly rejected—it reveals the extent of his instability," Cobb told MS NOW. He also referenced Trump's remarks following the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and former special counsel Robert Mueller.
A Public Clash with the Pontiff
The president and the head of the Catholic Church have been locked in a multiday feud, marked by Trump's criticism of Leo's opposition to U.S. military interventions, including potential action against Iran. The pope responded with unusually direct language, calling Trump's threat to eradicate Iranian civilization "truly unacceptable." Trump retaliated on Truth Social, labeling Leo "WEAK on crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy."
The conflict escalated when Trump posted an AI-generated image depicting himself in a Christ-like pose, drawing condemnation from Democratic officials and some religious conservatives. He removed the post, offering a convoluted explanation that it was meant to portray him as a doctor associated with the Red Cross—a justification met with widespread skepticism. Trump denied pulling the image due to criticism.
Guardrails Gone, Cobb Argues
Cobb contended that the controversy highlights a more profound problem: the erosion of Trump's mental sharpness and the disappearance of aides who once moderated his impulses. "His vocabulary has shrunk," Cobb said. "He's resorted to profanity and threats, totally impulsive, suggestive of the absence of any frontal lobe controls."
The former lawyer contrasted the current environment with Trump's first administration, where figures like former Chiefs of Staff John Kelly and James Mattis, along with former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, could sometimes dissuade the president from extreme actions. "They don't have those guardrails there today," Cobb stated, suggesting Trump's behavior is now less constrained. This assessment comes as the president faces declining support over issues like the Iran conflict.
Diplomatic and Domestic Fallout
Pope Leo, during a visit to Cameroon, delivered a veiled critique of those who "manipulate religion" for political and martial purposes—a clear reference to Trump administration officials who frequently use religious rhetoric concerning Middle East policy. The pontiff affirmed he does not fear Trump and will continue advocating for peace and diplomacy.
Trump defended his stance later Thursday, telling reporters he has a "right to disagree" with the pope and refusing to apologize, even as his approval among Catholic voters suffers. The feud occurs alongside other administration challenges, including controversial personnel moves like the planned renomination of ousted FEMA official Cameron Hamilton.
Cobb's sharp critique adds to a growing narrative questioning the president's fitness, a topic that has surfaced in other contexts, such as when Surgeon General Jerome Kennedy recently defended the administration's health agenda before Congress. The public rupture with a global religious leader, framed by a former insider as symptomatic of deeper decline, marks a significant moment in Trump's political trajectory.
