United States President, Donald Trump, has dismissed growing online speculation about his health, saying he was aware of some concerns over the weekend but hadn’t realized the intensity of the chatter.
Trump’s absence from public events had sparked rumours, with his last public appearance being a three-hour televised Cabinet meeting on Aug. 26.
“And then I didn’t do any (news conferences) for two days, and they said, ‘There must be something wrong with him.’ 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,” Trump said on Sept. 2 during a press conference in the Oval Office, responding to questions about online speculation.
Trump emphasized that he had remained active since his last in-person appearance. Over the Labour Day weekend, he participated in an off-camera, nearly hour-long interview with The Daily Caller on Aug. 29 and visited his Sterling, Virginia golf course three times, without interacting with the press.
He also posted statements on Truth Social regarding tariffs and redistricting.
“I’ve been very active over the weekend,” Trump said.
The president acknowledged hearing concerns about his health but stressed that he hadn’t realized how widely the rumors had spread.
“It’s also sort of a longer weekend,” he said. “I was very active this Labor Day.”
Ahead of his Oval Office press conference, Trump spoke with conservative pundit Scott Jennings, host of a Salem Radio Network show.
Vice President JD Vance had previously weighed in, telling USA TODAY on Aug. 27 that Trump was in “incredibly good health” and had “incredible energy.”
“I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term and do great things for the American people,” Vance said.
Trump, who took office for his second term at 78, is the oldest president in U.S. history. The White House confirmed in July that he has chronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition, following photos showing swelling in his legs and bruising on his right hand.
White House physician, Sean Barbabella, described it as “benign and common” and noted the hand marks were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking.”
Meanwhile, former President Joe Biden, previously the oldest to be inaugurated, continues to face scrutiny over his health. Biden ended his bid for re-election after a poor debate performance against Trump prompted questions about his mental acuity and fitness for office.