Democrats Urge 25th Amendment Action as Trump’s China Trip Draws Scrutiny Over Late-Night Posts and National Security

Calls to invoke the 25th Amendment escalate

Democrats are intensifying demands to invoke the 25th Amendment following what MeidasTouch described as a “disastrous” trip by President Donald Trump to China. In a recent video, MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas said multiple Democratic lawmakers told the network that Trump is “unfit” and that action should be taken urgently, with some also referencing removal and impeachment.

At the center of the criticism are lawmakers’ claims about Trump’s behavior and communications, including late-night social media activity, as well as concerns about how the administration is representing the United States abroad while high-stakes negotiations are underway.

Lawmakers cite late-night posts and concerns about fitness for office

Democratic Rep. Ansari told MeidasTouch reporters that the 25th Amendment should be invoked immediately, pointing to what she characterized as repeated late-night Truth Social activity. Ansari said Trump spends nights posting what she called “AI slop” between midnight and 3:00 or 4:00 a.m., describing the behavior as “unbelievable” and a sign he is “unfit to be president.”

Rep. Becca Balint also expressed alarm, telling MeidasTouch she is “100%” concerned about Trump’s mental well-being. Balint said she does not understand how anyone could watch his meetings or see his posts and conclude he is fit for office. She cited the late-night posts, a lack of “filter,” and name-calling directed at the press and others, adding that such conduct is not normal and is being normalized by not calling it out.

Rep. Dexter went further, saying she does not trust Trump to be able to “cognitively make a complete sentence,” arguing that negotiating with China is “really, really concerning” because China is “three steps ahead.”

“Incoherent ambiguity” and national security worries

Rep. Smith, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, described Trump’s approach as “incoherent ambiguity,” contrasting it with “strategic ambiguity.” Smith said Trump’s posture appears confrontational, inconsistent, erratic, and not based on reality, calling it a significant problem while declining to offer any diagnosis.

Rep. Magaziner criticized what he framed as misplaced priorities and instability. He referred to Trump as a “national embarrassment” and argued that instead of focusing on issues such as healthcare, tariffs, ending wars, or lowering costs, Trump is pursuing vanity projects. Magaziner also said Trump’s cognitive decline is “dangerous” and claimed Trump is “trying to sell advanced chips to China” while not taking national security seriously.

Rep. Pat Ryan said he is concerned about Trump’s ability to stay engaged during sensitive discussions, stating that the U.S. is “in the midst of a war” and warning that Americans cannot be sure the president won’t fall asleep during meetings.

Economic pressures, Iran, and the political backdrop

Several Democrats linked their critiques to economic strain and geopolitical instability. Rep. McGovern argued that Trump’s priorities are out of touch with Americans facing rising costs, saying people cannot afford healthcare, groceries, or gas. McGovern also labeled a proposed ballroom project as a vanity endeavor that would cost taxpayers over $1 billion.

Rep. Ilhan Omar told MeidasTouch that Trump “doesn’t seem like he fully understands what he’s talking about” and said constituents reject the idea that closing the Strait of Hormuz was a “genius move.” Omar cited economic spillovers, referencing an account that 70% of farmers say they cannot afford enough fertilizer, and said the impact extends beyond gas prices.

Rep. Ro Khanna criticized what he described as contradictions between Trump’s campaign messaging and his actions, alleging that Trump is taking tech billionaires to China rather than “forgotten Americans.” Khanna also claimed Trump was discussing $1 trillion of Chinese money flowing into the U.S. to set up factories, raising concerns about worker treatment and fairness.

Republicans push back and defend Trump

MeidasTouch also aired responses from Republican lawmakers. Sen. Marshall said he would give Trump an “A” for his handling of Iran and argued that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is central to American safety. Asked whether Trump has done anything he disagrees with this term, Marshall said he could not think of anything “off the top of my head.”

Rep. Nancy Mace said she had not seen specific comments attributed to Trump and did not know their context. She argued Trump’s focus is on U.S. safety and said the economy has improved, calling the first year “darn near a miracle” in getting inflation under control, while also voicing support for suspending South Carolina’s gas tax until prices come down.

Coinasity's Take

MeidasTouch’s reporting frames Democrats’ 25th Amendment push as a direct reaction to Trump’s conduct and messaging during the China trip, with lawmakers repeatedly citing fitness for office, national security, and economic stress. The video also highlights a stark partisan divide: Democrats portray the situation as urgent and destabilizing, while key Republicans publicly defend Trump’s record and priorities without conceding major concerns.