Donald Trump Jerusalem speech: Did President slur his words?

IT WAS the speech that could cause violence across the Middle East and send shockwaves around the world. A big deal, then. So why was Donald Trump slurring his words?

President Donald Trump during his speech yesterday where he recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Picture: Evan Vucci/AP

DONALD Trump provoked a Twitterstorm after his speech on Jerusalem yesterday in which he appeared to be breathing heavily and slurring some of his words toward the end.

The US President was delivering his speech when the pattern of his speech changed towards the end.

“God bless the United States,” he concluded, but the words “States” sounded as if he pronounced it “Shtates” — and scores of viewers noticed, The New York Post reported.

“Trump’s speech just slurred significantly at the end of the speech he just gave. Notice how he says ‘United States,’ but his words were thick before that,” wrote Jon Aravosis, a DC pundit.

“Aside from the constant sniffing, there was something seriously wrong with Trump’s speech and mouth during that #Jerusalem announcement. Major slurring. Weirder than usual I mean,” said Marcus Dysch, political editor of the Jewish Chronicle.

“Why is Trump slurring his speech?” wondered actor Mia Farrow.

Mr Trump signs a proclamation after he delivered a statement on Jerusalem from the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in Washington, as Vice President Mike Pence looks on. Picture: Sael Loeb/AFP

“Am I dreaming or was Trump’s speech incredibly slurred?” added Zac Petkanas, a former aide to Hillary Clinton.

Others questioned whether the president was on medication — or if he had dentures that possibly came loose.

The White House did not immediately return a request for comment.

Michael de Riesthal, a speech and language pathologist, told CNN the change was noticeable.

“There was definitely some imprecise progressive change in articulatory precision and slowing of his speech that is not typical in normal speech,” he said.

“The distortion of his articulation, though, is unknown in aetiology.”

This was even more noticeable when he said United States.

The President’s other body movements all appeared normal, indicating no other apparent health issue.

A White House official told CNN, Mr Trump was fine after following the speech.

“The President is perfectly healthy; he’s been working in meetings all day and in fact is still here working now,” the official said.

This article has ben reprinted with permission from The New York Post.