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U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed mounting speculation about his health, telling reporters he remained active throughout the Labour Day weekend, including giving media interviews and making repeated visits to his Virginia golf course.
“I was very active over the weekend,” Reuters reported Trump saying in the Oval Office. When asked whether he was aware of health-related rumours circulating online, he labelled them “fake.”
Trump, 79, became the oldest individual to assume the US presidency when he was inaugurated in January.
Speculation regarding his health gained traction over the weekend on the social media platform X, with users pointing to his absence from the public schedule late last week, alongside an interview published on Thursday by *USA Today* with Vice President JD Vance.
Asked during the interview whether he was ready to assume the presidency if necessary, Vance said he was confident that Trump was “in good shape,” while also noting that he would be prepared to step in if needed.
Prior to Tuesday’s comments, Trump had not held a lengthy press engagement since a cabinet meeting on 26 August, which lasted more than three hours – his longest on-camera appearance to date.
Reporters observed the president leaving the White House each day over the weekend to visit his golf course.
Trump previously underwent a full physical examination on 11 April at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland. According to official results released by the White House, he was found to have a normal heart rhythm and no significant health concerns.
On 17 July, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt acknowledged that Trump had been experiencing swelling in his lower legs and bruising on his right hand, after photos emerged showing what appeared to be puffiness around his ankles and makeup covering part of his hand.
In a letter subsequently released by the White House, Trump’s physician Dr Sean Barbabella confirmed the leg condition was “chronic venous insufficiency,” a benign and common ailment among individuals over 70. The bruising on Trump’s hand was attributed to minor soft tissue irritation, which the doctor said was consistent with frequent handshaking and routine aspirin use. Trump reportedly takes aspirin as part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Since July, the White House has downplayed concerns over Trump’s condition, though it has not detailed any specific treatment for the venous issue. - Sept 3, 2025
