Claims and rumors about US President Donald Trump’s health caused a stir on social media over the weekend. On Sunday, “Trump is dead” trended following posts on X claiming that the President had been hospitalized. The White House dismissed these as “insane conspiracy theories” created by “deranged liberals.”
Chatter on X amidst a “press lid”
“There are reports and speculation circulating that Trump has been taken to Walter Reed Hospital. The White House announced that the President will not make any public appearances today,” shared a viral post by an individual on X who identified as an “American Scientist, Medical Expert, Health Economist.”
Speculation intensified after the White House declared a “press lid,” indicating no public appearances. While the lid was actually due to an ongoing search-and-rescue mission for a missing US airman in Iran (who was later rescued), many quickly assumed it was related to a significant change in the President’s health.
The announcement led to a wave of unverified reports due to the unusual nature of the situation, given Trump’s usual weekend golfing trips to Mar-a-Lago in Florida.
White House’s response to the rumors
The official White House communications account, Rapid Responses 47, addressed the speculation, stating, “Deranged liberals create insane conspiracy theories when @POTUS goes 12 hours without speaking to the press. (They said nothing when Biden routinely went 12 days without speaking to the press) Fear not! President Trump literally never stops working.”
Amid ongoing speculation, Trump shared on Truth Social about the successful US military rescue operation in Iran.
This is not the first time rumors about Trump’s health have circulated. Earlier this year, a bruise on his hand sparked speculation about the 79-year-old leader’s health. Trump attributed the bruise to aspirin and blood thinners, asserting, “My health is perfect.”
Last year, speculation arose over “swelling” in Trump’s legs. The White House clarified that Trump had been diagnosed with “chronic venous insufficiency.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained the discoloration on Trump’s hand as “tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” due to aspirin use in a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
