Donald Trump's Pennsylvania Speech and the Goldwater Rule: A Balanced Perspective
Donald Trump's speech on 9 December in Pennsylvania has reignited public discussion about his competence, highlighting the ongoing relevance of the Goldwater rule.
The Goldwater rule was originally created to prevent irresponsible armchair diagnoses based purely on hearsay. However, Dr. Allen Dyer, who helped develop the rule, clarified in October 2024 that it is not an absolute gag order for medical professionals.
The rule does not preclude responsible discussion of observable public behaviours, especially when a public figure demonstrates clear patterns on a national stage. Such discussions, grounded in medical expertise, are seen as contributing to public discourse about behaviours bearing on national welfare when publicly exhibited and well documented.
Within ethical boundaries, addressing these behaviours is presented as an effort to enhance national understanding rather than a violation of professional standards.
This perspective was articulated by Robert Krasner, a physician with decades of experience in health policy, based in New York, US. His article was published on 16 December 2025 at 19:00 CET.
