U.S. President Donald Trump appeared in public for the first time in a week, dismissing health speculation and rumors of his death. He directly referred to these rumors as "fake news" that spread predominantly on social media. He then showcased his vitality through the announcement of key policies.
On the 2nd (local time), after announcing plans for the transfer of the U.S. Space Command headquarters at the White House, President Trump met with reporters. When questions about health concerns arose, he responded, "I was very active over the past weekend."
This controversy began when President Trump did not schedule any official events for several days at the end of last month. Speculation circulated on social media that he might be experiencing health issues since he, who typically enjoys media exposure, had not appeared before the public. The hashtag "Trump Death (#TRUMPDEAD)" also spread like wildfire.
As the situation escalated, the White House hurriedly attempted to quell the rumors. They released footage of President Trump spending time with his grandchildren at his golf club in Virginia. However, the controversy did not easily subside, ultimately prompting President Trump to step forward himself.
He said, "I held several press conferences last week and didn't for two days, and people started saying, 'Is there something wrong with him?'" He then aimed his comments at his competitor, former President Joe Biden. He added, "No one said there was something wrong with Biden even when he didn't show up for months." Although President Trump had no public schedules, he emphasized that he was actively engaging by conducting interviews with conservative media like the Daily Caller and posting on his social media platform, Truth Social.
He also provided clarification regarding a video that recently circulated online depicting an object being thrown out of a White House window. The video showed items such as a black bag being tossed from the second floor. President Trump claimed that this video was likely produced by "artificial intelligence (AI)" and asserted, "The White House windows are bulletproof and cannot be opened."
Concerns about President Trump's health have been consistently raised. In July, the White House announced that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that causes swelling or pain due to poor blood circulation in the leg veins. At the time, his physician stated that he was in "overall excellent health," but the reluctance to disclose detailed medical records during the 2024 election process raised questions.
Political analysts evaluate that this incident demonstrates both the speed and impact of conspiracy theories in the age of social media and reveals how sensitive President Trump's health, as an elderly individual, is to voters. The Associated Press noted, "As the 79-year-old president unusually disappeared from public view for an extended period, all sorts of speculation ran rampant."