President Trump often loses focus and goes off on a tangent. A notable example occurred on March 2, 2026. Trump briefly and vaguely mentioned his decision to order attacks on Iran and then commented in detail about construction of a new ballroom and his selection of drapes for the White House. Numerous mental health professionals have expressed concern about the President’s bizarre speech patterns.

Questions arose about the mental or physical fitness of other U.S. presidents, including Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Joe Biden.

Is there anything American society can do to promote healthier national leaders?

The United States’ economy has grown enormously in recent decades, yet many Americans are not cheerful and confident. Polls in early 2026 reported consumer confidence in the United States was at the lowest point in a dozen years. Furthermore, the 2025 World Happiness Report showed the American people’s contentment dropped to 24th in the world. That was the lowest level ever recorded for the USA in that international happiness survey.

Consistently near the top in the global happiness rankings is Norway, a country somewhat like the United States. Norway, too, is a wealthy nation, and it, too, benefited from a huge expansion of energy production.

Why do many Norwegians report satisfaction about their economic and social condition, while many Americans indicate much less satisfaction?

Critics worry that President Trump has threatened a federal takeover of voting activities throughout the USA. That is a significant danger, but another risk is getting much less attention. Americans stirred by false charges about voter fraud might try to take matters into their own hands and try to shape the outcome of an election.

That behavior was evident in a small but significant case of hijinks during the 2000 presidential election.

The story of that intervention by angry citizens and party officials has a name: The Brooks Brothers’ Riot. An examination of the event shows how aggressive action by ordinary citizens in tandem with political agents can undermine American democracy. The Brooks Brothers Riot could serve as a model for efforts to sway the 2026 and 2018 elections.