Actor Bruce Willis's diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia, marked by changes in his speech, has ignited discussions about President Joe Biden's similar speech issues, though he remains undiagnosed -- at least publicly -- with any such condition.

Willis, known for his prolific acting career, has battled a stutter throughout his life, managing it with techniques honed on set, and his ability to mask this stutter diminished over the years, eventually leading to a diagnosis of aphasia in the spring of 2022, with comparisons now being drawn to symptoms displayed by President Biden, as the Daily Mail reports.

Emma Heming Willis, Bruce's wife, shared her shock and disbelief upon learning his diagnosis.

"Bruce has always had a stutter, but he has been good at covering it up. As his language started changing, it [seemed like it] was just a part of a stutter, it was just Bruce. Never in a million years would I think it would be a form of dementia for someone so young," she said.

Aphasia, while not exclusively indicative of dementia, is frequently an early symptom of the disease, potentially occurring years before a formal diagnosis. This was certainly the case with Willis, whose initial signs of cognitive decline were misattributed to his lifelong speech impediment, something Biden has also battled in his past.

Doctor Biden's Speech Concerns Mirror Those of Willis

Parallel to Willis's health concerns, President Joe Biden has exhibited notable speech difficulties suggestive of aphasia. Having also overcome a childhood stutter, Biden's recent public appearances have shown an increased frequency of word confusion and stuttering.

One particularly notable incident occurred during a speech in which Biden called Trump supporters "garbage" while supposedly criticizing racist remarks made at a Trump rally.

This slip of the tongue raised eyebrows and further fueled public scrutiny of his cognitive abilities.

Dr. Stuart Fischer, an internal medicine specialist, remarked on Biden's speech issues, stating, "Since his recent presidency, he's had many other neurological problems."

However, Fischer also emphasized that without a personal examination, a definitive diagnosis could not be confirmed.

Speculations Around Biden's Cognitive Health

Speculation about Biden's mental fitness isn't new. Critics have often questioned his capability to serve, particularly highlighted by a debate performance filled with moments of incoherence and struggle with speech.

Despite these concerns, there has been no formal diagnosis of any neurodegenerative disease for Biden. White House representatives maintain that the President's cognitive health is stable, supported by regular neurologist consultations.

The Alzheimer's Society has weighed in on the discussion, stressing the importance of informed and respectful dialogue.

"It’s right that voters should be able to discuss a candidate’s perceived mental and physical fitness for such an important role, it’s not right to speculate that someone specifically has dementia or a mental health condition," they stated.

Dementia: A Focus on Frontotemporal Type

Frontotemporal dementia, the type diagnosed in Willis, is particularly aggressive and generally affects individuals between the ages of 45 and 64.

It leads to significant cognitive and physical decline, including the loss of speech and mobility.

Unlike more common forms of dementia, frontotemporal dementia is significantly understudied and currently lacks effective treatments. This adds another layer of complexity and tragedy to Willis's diagnosis, as shared by his family and medical team.

As both Willis and Biden's cases bring to light, the intersection of public figures' health issues with public speculation and concern shows the challenges and sensitivities involved in discussing cognitive health in the public eye.