- Trump dismissed death rumors as “so fake,” saying he was active all weekend.
- A gap in public appearances and visible bruising fueled speculation about his health.
- The White House maintains he’s healthy, while critics continue questioning his condition.
Donald Trump brushed off wild internet rumors about his death, telling reporters in the Oval Office, “Really? I didn’t see that.” He insisted he was “very active, actually, over the weekend,” and dismissed the speculation as “pretty serious stuff… it’s so fake.”
Trump admitted he was aware of the chatter, saying, “I knew they were saying like ‘is he ok? how’s he feeling? what’s wrong?’ I had heard that, but I didn’t hear it to that extent.” The comments came during a press briefing announcing a new home for the U.S. Space Command.
Social Media Fueled the Frenzy
The former president hadn’t been seen publicly since Aug. 26, when he hosted a Cabinet meeting, and his absence over several days sparked a wave of speculation online. Searches for “is Trump dead” and “Trump dead” shot to the top of Google on Saturday, fueled by influencers posting unverified theories.
Trump was later photographed leaving the White House in golf attire, headed to Trump National Golf Club with his granddaughter Kai. He also posted repeatedly on Truth Social, writing on Sunday: “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE” while continuing his feud with Illinois Democrats over crime in Chicago.
Health Concerns Keep Circulating
At 79, Trump’s health has been the subject of constant scrutiny. Photos in recent months showed unexplained bruising on his hands, which the White House attributes to shaking hands combined with an aspirin regimen. Officials confirmed he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in older adults, but stressed there was no evidence of more serious issues like arterial disease or heart failure.
Critics, however, remain unconvinced. Liberal commentator Keith Olbermann posted a video asking, “Of course Trump’s not dead, but how could you be certain? And how could his own White House have made it look more like he was desperately ill?”
Background: Politics and Public Optics
Adding fuel to the fire, Vice President JD Vance recently told USA Today he was prepared to step in “in the event of a terrible tragedy,” though he insisted Trump was in “good shape” and “incredibly good health.”
While Trump had no scheduled events over the weekend, he gave a lengthy interview Friday with the Daily Caller. Despite that, the rumors persisted until his public reappearance.
For now, Trump has shrugged it all off in typical fashion—by mocking the speculation and doubling down online.
