Can President Trump distinguish truth from fiction? One wants to believe that the president, cloaked in immense power, would understand the difference between reality and fantasy. But consider the past week of presidential activity.

Last Friday, Trump announced a "historic" deal with Venezuela's interim government to give the U.S. control over a huge portion of oil reserves. "At my direction, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth... have secured majority U.S. control of more than 65 BILLION BARRELS of proven Oil Reserves in Venezuela, at no cost to the American Taxpayer," he wrote on Truth Social. Behind the boast lies a murky arrangement with unanswered questions: who will restore capacity, who will pay, and will it last beyond his term?

Even more unsettling is his use of AI. On Sunday, Trump posted an A.I.-generated video of destruction of Kharg Island, an Iranian stronghold, as if it were real. He does not like traditional briefings, preferring a highlight reel of "stuff blowing up." For six months, he has claimed Iran's military is destroyed and victory is imminent.

By any measure, Trump is brutally unpopular. His average approval rating has sunk to the mid-to-low 30s, raising questions about his grasp on reality as midterms approach.