President Donald Trump dismissed speculation about his health on Tuesday, telling reporters that rumors about his condition were “fake news” fueled by hostile media outlets.
Rumors Sparked by Brief Absence
Trump had gone two days without public appearances over Labor Day weekend, leading some pundits and online commentators to question whether he was unwell.
At a press conference, the president mocked the double standard, noting that former President Joe Biden routinely avoided public events for weeks without facing the same scrutiny.
“I didn’t do any for two days, and they said, there must be something wrong with him,” Trump told reporters. “Biden wouldn’t do them for months. You wouldn’t see him. And nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him. And we know he wasn’t in the greatest of shape.”
To counter claims of inactivity, Trump listed recent media appearances and online engagement.
“I was very active over the weekend,” Trump said. “They also knew I went out to visit some people at the club that I own pretty nearby on the Potomac River. And now I’ve been very active, actually, over the weekend.”
He cited a 90-minute interview, multiple TV appearances, and long posts on Truth Social as evidence that his schedule remained full.
Trump accused journalists of deliberately pushing false stories about his health while ignoring concerns about his rivals.
“It’s fake news, you know, it’s just so—it’s so fake. That’s why the media has so little credibility,” he said.
He emphasized that his lighter schedule was due to the holiday: “It’s also sort of a longer weekend. You know, it’s Labor Day weekend. So I would say a lot of people know I was very active this Labor Day.”
PETER DOOCY: “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?”
TRUMP: “I didn’t hear that one. That’s pretty serious stuff… It’s fake news… That’s why the media has so little credibility.” pic.twitter.com/uvbJM40hKV
— Fox News (@FoxNews) September 2, 2025
Health Record and Medical History
In July, the White House disclosed that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a vein condition that can cause swelling in the legs. Officials stressed the condition is manageable and relatively common, affecting an estimated 5–10% of adults.
Back in April, Trump underwent a comprehensive physical and cognitive exam. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, declared him “fully fit,” citing excellent vitals, a 24-pound weight loss, perfect cognitive scores, and only minor findings such as diverticulosis and a benign polyp.
Social Media Speculation
Despite those clean bills of health, Trump’s recent limited public schedule fueled wild speculation online. False claims circulated suggesting he had died or was battling conditions such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease.
Trump personally pushed back on Truth Social, declaring he had “never felt better,” and appeared in public for a Labor Day golf outing to silence the rumors.
