Trump dismisses rumours he is in ill health, calls them ‘fake’
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The US President rejected claims about his poor health as speculation circulated on the social media platform X over the weekend.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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- Donald Trump dismissed social media rumours about his ill health, stating he was active over the Labour Day weekend.
- White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns about his swollen legs and hand bruising in July.
- Physician Sean Barbabella attributed the leg issue to chronic venous insufficiency and bruising to handshaking/aspirin use.
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WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Sept 2 dismissed reports on social media that he is in ill health, saying he was busy over the Labour Day weekend giving media interviews and visiting his Virginia golf course.
“I was very active over the weekend,” Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
Asked if he was aware of the reports, he called them “fake”.
Mr Trump, 79, in January became the oldest person to assume the US presidency.
Speculation about his health swirled on the social media platform X over the weekend, with posts citing Mr Trump’s lack of a public schedule late last week and a USA Today interview with Vice-President J.D. Vance published on Aug 28.
When asked during the interview if he was ready to assume the role of commander-in-chief, Mr Vance said he was confident Mr Trump was “in good shape” but also suggested he was prepared to step in if anything happened to the President.
Before Sept 2, Mr Trump’s last extended exchange with reporters came during a Cabinet meeting a week earlier.
Mr Trump led the more than three-hour session on Aug 26, his longest on-camera appearance
Over the Labour Day weekend, reporters saw him leaving the White House each day to visit his golf course.
The bruised right hand of US President Donald Trump on Aug 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Mr Trump underwent an extensive physical examination on April 11 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre in suburban Washington.
It found he had a normal heart rhythm and no major health problems, according to official results released by the White House.
On July 17, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump was experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand after photos showed him with swollen ankles and make-up covering part of his hand.
His physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, said in a letter released by the White House that tests confirmed the leg issue was due to “chronic venous insufficiency”, a benign and common condition, especially in people over 70.
The doctor said the bruising on Mr Trump’s hand was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and aspirin use, which Mr Trump takes as part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen”.
Since then, the White House has played down concerns about Mr Trump’s health, without detailing how the leg issue is being treated. REUTERS
