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Published 11:48 25 Jun 2026 GMT
Several White House officials have pushed back against speculation that Donald Trump was the unnamed patient who reportedly received early access to an experimental weight loss drug.
The claims stem from a report by health outlet STAT, which revealed that Eli Lilly and the Food and Drug Administration granted a 79-year-old patient access to the drug retatrutide under “compassionate use.”
This pathway allows individuals with serious medical conditions to receive experimental treatments when no other options are available.
According to the report, the patient was seeking treatment for “refractory obesity with obstructive sleep apnea and pulmonary hypertension,” a potentially life-threatening condition involving high blood pressure in the lungs.
Sources suggested the request attracted attention from senior health officials, with one describing the individual as “well connected.”
Because the patient’s age aligned with Trump’s at the time, speculation quickly spread that the president could be involved. The White House, however, firmly rejected the idea.
“This application was not for the President,” White House spokesman Kush Desai wrote on X, dismissing the claims as “baseless speculation.”
Communications director Steven Cheung also criticized the reporting, accusing the outlet of “peddling falsehoods.”
A separate White House rapid response account went further, responding to online commentary by saying: “No, it isn't President Trump. You people are sick,” while also condemning what it described as “bulls*** from the usual suspects.”
STAT reporter Lizzy Lawrence said she had contacted federal health officials and the White House multiple times before publishing but did not receive clear answers.
The Department of Health and Human Services directed inquiries back to Desai’s statement.
Meanwhile, an Eli Lilly spokesperson explained the process more generally, saying: “In rare situations, when individuals can’t join a clinical trial and have run out of treatment options, Lilly may provide an investigational medicine in coordination with a requesting physician. We make these decisions following all applicable regulations. We do not comment on the specifics of individual cases.”
The situation has drawn additional attention due to Trump’s past access to experimental treatments. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he received an antibody therapy before it was widely approved.
Trump has also previously addressed questions about weight loss drugs. When asked in January whether he had taken medications like Wegovy or Ozempic, he replied: “No, I have not. I probably should.”
Ongoing speculation about his health has been fueled by visible bruising on his hands and instances where he appeared to fall asleep during public events. Now aged 80, Trump is the oldest person to assume the U.S. presidency.
Despite this, his physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, stated after a recent medical exam that Trump “remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function.”
Even so, scrutiny has continued over what some reports describe as an “extraordinary number” of specialist consultations and additional medical evaluations outside his annual checkup.
The debate around presidential health transparency echoes similar concerns raised during the final months of Joe Biden’s presidency, when questions about age and fitness for office became a major political issue.
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Published 11:48 04 Jun 2026 GMT
Published 10:19 07 Nov 2025 GMT
People are pointing out President Trump's reaction after a guest collapsed next to him during a White House press conference.
A sudden and unexpected moment occurred on Thursday (November 6) at a White House press conference, which was meant to announce a groundbreaking deal aimed at lowering the cost of weight-loss drugs.
The 79-year-old was sitting at the Resolute Desk to unveil the new plan, which will significantly cut the prices of popular obesity treatments, Zepbound and Wegovy, for Americans on Medicare and Medicaid.
The new pricing agreement, forged with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, is expected to reduce monthly costs for these subscription-based drugs to an average of $149 to $350, offering relief to many Americans who have voiced concerns over the high price tag of these medications.
However, attention quickly shifted from the policy announcement to a medical emergency unfolding in front of the cameras.
The man, who was a guest of one of the attending health care companies, collapsed behind the president during the press conference.
As the man began to fall, two others nearby caught him before he hit the ground. Dr. Mehmet Oz, who was in attendance, rushed to his aid alongside the White House Medical Unit.
As medical personnel tended to the fallen guest, social media quickly exploded over President Trump’s reaction - or lack thereof.
While others rushed in to help, he stood frozen in place, facing the audience, as first aid was administered. In one striking photo, the president is captured simply staring forward, seemingly detached from the chaos around him.
This moment was widely shared online, with many users reacting to the image. One user on X remarked: “doing nothing while someone is collapsing. Seems similar to what he is doing to the U.S."
Another chimed in: "This is disgraceful, and he should be embarrassed. But of course, Trump does not have an empathetic bone in his body."
A third user on Reddit said: "Just replace the guy on the floor with America, and we have the perfect painting for 2025.” And a fourth posted: “Not one ounce of concern on his face for the man who just collapsed in front of him."
Despite the viral reaction, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the guest was okay.
She explained in a statement: “During the Most Favored Nations Oval Office Announcement, a representative with one of the companies fainted. The White House Medical Unit quickly jumped into action, and the gentleman is okay. The Press Conference will resume shortly," per The Independent.
Later, reporters were allowed back into the room, and Trump reassured the press that the man was “fine.” Eli Lilly’s CEO, David Ricks, also weighed in, confirming that the guest was recovering and doing well.
"If you've ever been in the Oval Office, you stand a long time and it’s warm," Ricks explained, per ABC News. "I’m pleased to say that the White House medical staff did a great job, and he’s doing great, so nothing to be concerned about. Thanks for your concern.”
The White House stepped in to shut down rumors that Donald Trump was receiving medical treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after speculation about his health spread widely online on Saturday.
Trump’s health has been under close watch throughout his second term, with many Americans pointing to his public missteps, perceived physical struggles, and past medical disclosures.
The latest rumors gained traction after the White House announced at 11:08am that the president would not appear in public for the rest of the day, an unusual move for Trump, who typically spends weekends at Mar-a-Lago playing golf.
His spokesman, Steven Cheung, addressed the speculation on X, writing: “There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump. On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him.”
Trump’s most recent visit to the facility was in October, when he said he underwent an MRI scan. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he remarked: “I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect.” He also added, “The doctor said [it] was some of the best reports, for the age, they've ever seen,” but declined to explain the reason for the scan, instead telling journalists to “ask the doctors.”
According to his physician, Sean Barbabella, the appointment was routine. He described it as a “scheduled follow-up evaluation as part of his ongoing health maintenance plan and included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventative health assessments,” adding that the president “continues to demonstrate excellent overall health.”
Health details disclosed earlier in 2025 revealed that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the condition was identified after swelling in his legs was observed. The issue occurs when veins struggle to return blood to the heart, leading to pooling in the lower limbs. Dr Barbabella described it as “benign and common” among older individuals.
Recent images showing bruising and cosmetic patches on Trump’s hand also drew attention, though the White House said this was simply due to frequent handshaking and unrelated to the vein condition.
Later in the weekend, Trump turned his attention to foreign policy, issuing strongly worded and at times expletive-filled warnings that he could escalate strikes on Iran and its infrastructure if it failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by his stated deadline.
Donald Trump has sparked a debate after claiming the United States has access to a drug capable of bringing people back from the dead.
The comments came during a White House press conference. Trump also appeared to be discussing the Right to Try Act, legislation introduced during his first term that allows certain terminally ill patients to access experimental treatments before they receive full regulatory approval.
The law was designed to give people facing life-threatening illnesses the opportunity to try promising medications when conventional treatment options have been unsuccessful.
However, Trump took the discussion a step further by suggesting some patients had experienced what sounded like miraculous recoveries.
Speaking at the event, the president said, "We've taken people that were dead. We had a person given the last rites — gone, the kids are crying and everything, and started them on this drug. And the person became better. It works."
The extraordinary claim quickly attracted attention online, with many questioning both the drug Trump was referring to and whether he genuinely meant a patient had died before being revived.
Trump did not identify the medication in question, nor did he provide medical evidence, clinical trial data, or further details about the case he described. Instead, his comments appeared to reference the broader use of experimental treatments for seriously ill patients.
People have suggested the president may have been describing someone who was gravely ill and close to death rather than a person who had been medically declared dead.
Medical experts have pointed out that recovering from a life-threatening condition is vastly different from being brought back to life after death has been officially confirmed.
Healthcare professionals have also challenged the suggestion that any existing drug can reverse death itself, stressing that dramatic recoveries, while possible in some cases, are not the same as resurrecting a deceased patient.
The comments have reignited discussion around the Right to Try Act, which has remained controversial since its introduction. Supporters argue the legislation offers hope and additional options for patients with terminal illnesses, while critics warn it can expose vulnerable people to treatments that are neither safe nor effective.
Despite the criticism, Trump has consistently highlighted the Right to Try Act as one of the signature healthcare achievements of his presidency.
The latest comments have once again placed the policy under the spotlight, with many observers seeking clarification about the treatment Trump referenced and the circumstances behind the case he described.
Published 15:06 19 May 2020 GMT
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has slammed President Trump's decision to take unapproved drugs as a preventative measure for the novel coronavirus.
On Monday, 73-year-old Trump told reporters that he was taking hydroxychloroquine in pill form, and has allegedly had "zero symptoms. "I happen to be taking it. I happen to be taking it — hydroxychloroquine," he said, adding that he started using it "a couple of weeks ago".
"If it is not good, I will tell you right [...] I'm not going to get hurt by it. It has been around for 40 years for malaria, for lupus, for other things. I take it," he continued, detailing that he has been taking the pill "every day".
Following the president's controversial remarks, Pelosi appeared on CNN's Anderson Cooper 360 where she denounced his decision, echoing research that shows that the anti-malarial drug has proved ineffective, and is linked to a higher death rate.
Health experts, including the head of the Food and Drug Administration, have warned that the drug needs to undergo trials to see if it could work against COVID-19.
"He's our president and I would rather he not be taking something that has not been approved by the scientists," she said. "Especially in his age group and his, shall we say, weight group: 'morbidly obese,' they say."
The House Speaker added, "I think it's not a good idea."
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Last year, Trump's annual physical revealed that he weighed 243 pounds - a figure that is considered obese on the body mass index scale. At that time, his BMI stood at 30.4.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a BMI of 40 or above is considered morbidly obese.
Additionally, those with a BMI of 40 or higher are more vulnerable to catch COVID-19, the CDC has asserted.
Watch as Nancy Pelosi tears up Trump's State Of The Union address
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Questions are mounting over President Donald Trump's whereabouts as the 79-year-old has gone several days without appearing at a public event, prompting renewed discussion about his health and a resurfaced theory from a medical expert.
Trump's most recent public speech was on May 22. He also appeared alongside First Lady Melania Trump at the annual Congressional Picnic on May 20. While he signed an executive order titled Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security on Tuesday, there was no accompanying speech or press conference from the Oval Office.
The lack of public appearances has fueled speculation online, with some asking whether the president is in good health. The White House has not publicly addressed questions surrounding his recent absence from public events.
The renewed scrutiny comes shortly after the White House released a three-page memo summarizing Trump's latest visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
According to White House physician Sean Barbabella, Trump demonstrated "strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function."
The report concluded that the president remains in "excellent health" and is "fully fit" to carry out his duties.
The evaluation was based on test results collected over the past year and consultations with 22 specialists. The report also noted that bruising frequently visible on Trump's hands was linked to regular handshaking and aspirin therapy.
Doctors advised Trump to continue taking low-dose aspirin, increase physical activity, and lose weight. His weight was listed at 238 pounds, which was 14 pounds higher than during his April 2025 physical examination.
The report also referenced "slight lower leg swelling," which it said had improved compared to the previous year.
Despite the positive findings, some medical experts said the report left important issues unexplained.
Jonathan Reiner, former Vice President Dick Cheney's cardiologist, questioned why the report did not include information about repeated heart CT scans or whether concerns about fatigue and daytime sleepiness had been investigated.
“The last line of all these notes always say the same thing, which is that upon examination and evaluation of the patient, the president is deemed fit for service,” Reiner told CNN. “This report would speak to that conclusion. There are other things that it misses.”
Political commentator Brian Krassenstein also shared a video of Trump last week, claiming the president's face appeared swollen.
Meanwhile, California Representative Ted Lieu posted a clip from a cabinet meeting and alleged Trump appeared to doze off while Secretary of State Marco Rubio was speaking.
“There is something wrong with his health or cognitive abilities. We are going to get to the bottom of this,” Lieu said.
Adding to the discussion, Dr Bruce Davidson, a professor at Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, recently suggested that Trump may have suffered a stroke during his second term.
“Earlier in the year, there was video of him shuffling, and I thought that was weird,” he said on The Daily Beast podcast.
Davidson also claimed the president appeared to be "garbling" words during public speeches.
Despite the growing speculation, there is currently no official indication from the White House that Trump has suffered a stroke or is experiencing a serious health issue.
While he has remained out of public view in recent days, Trump has continued posting actively on Truth Social. The president shared multiple posts on the platform within the last 12 hours, including one comparing himself to fictional spy James Bond, also known as 007.
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