Donald Trump is losing his ability to control the narrative surrounding his health as he follows other US presidents by becoming a “lame duck”, a commentator said. New York magazine writer Ben Terris discussed Mr Trump’s health with the Today, Explained podcast, claiming he doesn’t eat “well” and drinks enough Diet Coke to fill a football stadium.

Mr Terris, who interviewed the US president for an article published in the magazine in January, recalled the White House telling him Mr Trump was as healthy as he says he is. But the writer suggested Mr Trump seems to be losing his ability to control his health story as voters who are neither critics nor loyal supporters grow more sceptical of the president’s version of reality.

He was quoted by Vox as saying: “The way he tries to control the narrative, so to speak, of his health is sort of akin to how he’s trying to control everything. I just feel like he’s sort of losing some of that control.

“This happens to presidents. This is why they become lame ducks. It’s just happening a little earlier for Trump than is traditional for a president.”

Mr Ferris pointed to polling ahead of this year’s mid-term elections as evidence of waning popularity for the president, who turns 80 on June 14.

He suggested members of Mr Trump’s inner circle were talking about his health in terms that were “completely outrageous”, having described their leader as “superhuman” and “the healthiest man alive”.

The writer said Secretary of State Marco Rubio told him during his research for New York magazine that the president was “too healthy” during his visit to the White House for the interview.

Mr Trump’s health has been a cause for speculation since he regained the presidency in January last year. He maintains he is in “perfect” health.

Bruising on his hands has been attributed by the White House to Mr Trump’s use of aspirin to thin his blood, while his swollen ankles were put down to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition found among older people.

There has also been speculation about Mr Trump’s mental health, with political opponents questioning his fitness for office after the president appeared to doze off in meetings and ramble during speeches. Mr Trump has denied such claims.

Mr Trump had repeatedly questioned the fitness for office of his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, whose final years at the White House were dogged by questions about his health.

Responding to speculation about his health, Mr Trump has said he has “very good genetics” and his health is “perfect”.

His White House doctor, Sean Barbabella, said in a memo released in October that the results of a medical examination showed Mr Trump was in “exceptional health”.

The memo read in part: “Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance”.