Trump dismisses rumors he is in ill health, calls them 'fake'

Reuters

President Donald Trump on Tuesday rejected viral social media claims about his health, saying he had been “very active” over the Labor Day weekend.

Asked in the Oval Office whether he was aware of reports of his supposed demise, Trump replied: “Really? I didn’t see that. You know, I have heard it’s sort of crazy. But last week I did numerous news conferences, all successful. They went very well, like this is going very well. And then I didn’t do any for two days and they said, there must be something wrong with him.”

He went on to accuse the media of double standards: “Biden wouldn’t do them for months. You wouldn’t see him. And nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him. And we know he was in the greatest of shape.”

Trump pointed to his interviews, social media activity, and a visit to his Virginia golf club as evidence that he was in good health. “No, I was very active over the weekend. They also knew I went out to visit some people at the club that I own pretty nearby on the Potomac River. And now I’ve been very active actually over the weekend. I didn’t hear that one. That’s pretty serious. I’m glad it’s… well, it’s fake news, you know. It’s just so… it’s so fake. That’s why the media has so little credibility.”

Health concerns about Trump first emerged in July, when photos revealed swelling in his ankles and bruising on his hand. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed he had “swelling in his lower legs” and makeup covering part of his hand.

White House physician Sean Barbabella later explained that tests showed the swelling was due to chronic venous insufficiency, a common and benign condition in older adults. The bruising, he added, was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and aspirin use, which Trump takes as part of a cardiovascular prevention regimen.

Since then, officials have downplayed the issue, stressing that Trump, 79, remains in good health as the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency.

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