President Trump appeared to forget the name of Saritha Komatireddy, a Republican federal prosecutor he had just endorsed for New York attorney general, while speaking to law-enforcement officials on Long Island. He had opened the remarks by attacking incumbent Letitia James, who won a civil fraud case in 2024 that led to more than $450 million in penalties against Trump and the Trump Organization. The lapse follows other recent verbal missteps and drew rapid mockery on social media, prompting renewed questions about the president's public acuity.
Trump, 80, Appears To Forget Name Of Candidate He Just Endorsed During Long Island Speech
Donald Trump has someone he’d like to endorse for NY AG. / KEVIN LAMARQUE / REUTERS
President Donald Trump appeared to have a brief memory lapse Friday while speaking to law-enforcement officials on Long Island, seemingly unable to recall the name of a woman he had just publicly endorsed for New York attorney general.
Trump began the remarks by criticizing incumbent Attorney General Letitia James, calling her a "dirty cop." James last year prevailed in a civil fraud case against Trump and the Trump Organization that resulted in more than $450 million in penalties for allegedly inflating the value of assets.
The 80-year-old then told the crowd, "You have a person running, who I just met today for the first time, and I've endorsed her running for attorney general." Rather than naming the candidate, he awkwardly called out from the podium, "Where the hell are you…Ma'am? Where are you?"
New York Attorney General Letitia James successfully prosecuted Donald Trump and the Trump Organization for civil fraud. / Carlo Allegri / REUTERS
The woman he addressed was Saritha Komatireddy, a Republican challenger to James and a federal prosecutor.
Broader Context
The episode adds to a string of public verbal missteps that have prompted commentary about the president's verbal acuity. In recent weeks, Trump referred to Iran as the "Islamic Republic of Japan" at the NATO summit, mistakenly called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "President Putin," and said he was popular on "Tic Tac," an apparent mix-up of TikTok with the mint.
Trump has frequently mocked President Joe Biden for his own gaffes; critics and supporters alike have used the latest incident to question Trump’s fitness and campaign messaging. Supporters have downplayed the slip as a minor mistake, while critics said it raised fresh concerns about his public performances.
Social Media Reaction
"Nothing unusual about that," one user wrote. "After all, the old f---er is lucky enough to remember his own name."
Another commented, "Lol ... vote for ma'am."
A third mocked the vetting: "I just met her… she has my full endorsement. Amazing vetting process."
Whether viewed as a small gaffe or part of a worrying pattern, the moment quickly circulated online and became another flashpoint in discussions about Trump’s public remarks and readiness for the campaign trail.
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