President Donald Trump dismissed viral social media rumors suggesting he had died, addressing the speculation during a nearly 50-minute press event at the White House on Tuesday.
The 79-year-old leader said he was well aware of the chatter, though he had not seen the online posts himself.
Trump jokes about rumors and media double standardsFox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked Trump about the “death rumors” that gained traction over the Labor Day weekend, when he had no public events on his schedule.
“I have heard, it’s sort of crazy… It’s so fake,” Trump said in response, via The Telegraph. “I was very active this Labor Day.”
The president added that the media seemed quick to speculate about his health but had given former President Joe Biden a pass in similar situations.
“I didn’t do any [public events] for two days, and they said there must be something wrong with him. Biden would not do them for months… and nobody ever said there was anything wrong with him,” Trump said, drawing laughter from the room.
Social media fuels 'Where is Trump?' trendOn Friday, the hashtag #whereistrump began trending as users speculated about his absence. Paparazzi had photographed Trump traveling to and from his golf club in Sterling, Virginia over the weekend, but that did little to tamp down speculation.
Trump was originally expected to spend the holiday at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf club but chose to remain in Washington, D.C. instead.
He was spotted golfing with his granddaughter Kai on Saturday, and on Sunday he teed off with former NFL coach Jon Gruden.
A viral photo of Trump with conservative radio host John Fredericks added fuel to the controversy.
Skeptics online ran the image through AI analysis tools, claiming it was doctored or outdated. Fredericks, however, insisted the photo was authentic.
“This photo was taken August 31, 2025 … by my wife Anne on her phone at approximately 4:00 PM EST after golf & lunch at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia,” he clarified on X.
Questions about Trump’s health continue to circulate, though his team insists he remains fit for office. In July, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt disclosed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that causes mild leg swelling but is common in older adults, according to Mail Online. His physician confirmed the diagnosis as benign, noting there was no evidence of serious arterial disease.
The doctor also acknowledged bruising on the back of Trump’s hand, attributing it to irritation from frequent handshakes and the president’s daily use of aspirin for cardiovascular health.
Vice President JD Vance has repeatedly reassured the public about Trump’s stamina, saying the president routinely works later than most younger staffers. “He’s the last person making phone calls at night, and the first one to wake up in the morning,” Vance said last week.
Despite the rumors, Trump’s appearance and extended remarks Tuesday suggested that reports of his demise were, as he put it, “greatly exaggerated.”