President Donald Trump attempted to stop speculation about his health by sharing a photo online, but instead, the move raised questions.
Concerns about the 79-year-old’s well-being have mounted in recent days, as he has gone several days without speaking in front of a camera.
As rumors swirled, the US leader's social media activity became the center of attention, with supporters and critics alike searching for “proof” that he was OK, but one of his posts on August 31 only added fuel to the fire.
Sharing an image of himself on the golf course with former football coach Jon Gruden, Trump wrote: “Great playing Golf with Jon Gruden - A really nice guy, and true character!”
At first glance, nothing seemed unusual until people realized the round of golf actually took place more than a week earlier, on August 23.
Retired US Navy officer Travis Akers was quick to point out the discrepancy on X. “I’m not a conspiracy theory guy, but if you’re fighting off increasing rumors that you may have suffered a major medical episode and to disprove that rumor and provide proof of life, you post a picture of allegedly playing golf with Jon Gruden today, it would be beneficial to post one that wasn’t from August 23rd,” he wrote.
"Gruden’s Instagram and the AP archives confirm the picture President Trump posted is over a week old. Look at the matched clothing, and time and date stamps, " he continued. "Attention to detail."
Another person asked: “Is it not very bizarre to any reporter that Trump/The WH and their allies are trying to pass off a photo of Trump and Gruden as having been taken today, and not last week? is anyone talking about this??? I feel like I’m going crazy!”
Still, the post appeared to reassure some supporters as one wrote: “BREAKING: President Trump’s health is doing just fine. Liberals were wrong.”
A second added: “While Democrats swore Trump was having a medical emergency, he was out golfing with Jon Gruden! He’s at the TOP OF HIS GAME!”
The golf snap came after a flurry of online conspiracy theories, with hashtags like “Trump Is Dead” and “Where is Donald Trump” trending when the White House schedule appeared blank on August 29.
Some pointed to Vice President JD Vance’s recent interview, in which he said he was prepared to assume the presidency in the event of a “terrible tragedy," as further cause for speculation.
Others dragged in The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, recycling years-old conspiracy theories about cartoon “predictions".
Rumors cooled when Trump was photographed golfing in Virginia with his granddaughter, Kai Trump, on August 30.
The following day, he broke his silence on Truth Social, writing: “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE. Also, DC IS A CRIME FREE ZONE!”
That last claim came as the New York Post reported that violent crime in Washington, D.C. has fallen 45% compared to the same period last year, with overall crime dropping 15% - figures that even Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged.
“We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhance what MPD has been able to do in this city,” she said last week.