As the US president takes another savage swipe at a female reporter and questions over his health ramp up, we look at the details behind the mystery that’s causing Trump to crack
The ongoing mystery around Donald Trump’s health has taken a bizarre turn as he’s lashed out at ANOTHER female reporter. The president sparked outrage when he barked a rude insult at journalist Catherine Lucey last month, calling her a “piggy” and telling her to be “quiet” when she probed him about the Epstein Files.
And now he’s gone on another outburst, insulting a second woman in the field in just a matter of weeks. The US leader was asked a question about his recent MRI scan after Tim Walz, Minnesota Governor, demanded the results be released publicly.
Speaking to journalists on Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said of his results: “They were perfect like my phone call where I got impeached. Absolutely perfect. If you want to have it released, I’ll release it.” He was referring to a phone call he had with Ukraine leader Zelensky before he was impeached over allegations he improperly sought help from Ukraine to improve his chances of re-election. In the end, the president was cleared on two charges at trial.
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The Republican was then probed further by CBS News’ Weija Jiang on what part of the body the MRI was looking at when he fired a blistering insult her way. “I have no idea. It was just an MRI. It wasn’t the brain because I took a cognitive test and aced it. I got a perfect mark which you would be incapable of doing,’ Trump said, pointing straight at the newswoman. He then ended the media scrum, saying “goodbye everybody” before pointing at a second female journalist and saying “you too”.
It’s not the first time Trump’s health has sparked tense talks and speculation. The President, 79, has been seen with bruising on his hands and swelling around his ankles, whilst eagle-eyed onlookers have identified several details during his public engagements that could suggest more serious health issues. Nevertheless, his physician recently released an update on Trump’s health, claiming his cardiac age is roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age.
However, despite this encouraging health update and the White House addressing the speculation, unusual incidents have left some people unconvinced about the President’s well-being…
Signs of ‘slowing down’
Speculation surrounding the US President’s health has intensified after observers noticed a shift suggesting he may have been advised to reduce his workload. Trump criticised The New York Times last week following its article examining his health and age.
Since publication, many have shared their views on the leader’s wellbeing, with some believing a “subtle” change in the president’s schedule indicates he’s been told to ease up as he gets older. Despite his denials, questions persist about the reasons behind his altered routine.
Nicholas, who runs News from Nic’s Kitchen on TikTok, recently highlighted the issue on social media. In a video, he explained: “So, more questions about Donald Trump’s health have come up again today folks. There’s been a report which has exposed Donald Trump’s reduced schedule.
“So, The New York Times have done an investigation, and they found out that Donald Trump has cut almost 40% of events compared to his first term. Trump’s day usually starts at about 1pm, and he’s usually finished and done by around 4pm.
“He’s often seen to be nodding off, dozing off, that kind of thing. It’s been noted on television and camera, as you might be aware. The source for this is The New York Times.”
‘Dozing off’
Politics watchers were left puzzled when footage emerged of Trump seemingly dozing off during a chaotic news conference last month. A White House guest also collapsed behind the US President during an announcement of cheaper weight loss drugs in America. Thankfully, he was caught by two others nearby and Trump later confirmed the man was “fine.”
Trump stole the show in the nightmare confrerence as viewers believed he looked like he was snoozing just as government official Dr. Mehmet Oz said: “People can sleep again.” One viewer wrote: “He looks like he is out cold. Could you imagine what Republicans would say if Joe [Biden] had a press conference and did this?”
Hand marks
Images of Trump’s hands have sparked the most significant health concerns during his presidency, with dark marks appearing and disappearing. The bruise-like marks have sometimes seemingly been covered with foundation makeup, prompting speculation he might be receiving intravenous treatment.
However, the White House has maintained that the bruising was caused by a combination of “frequent handshaking” and his use of aspirin. A letter from his doctor, Dr Sean Barbarella, previously explained: “This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
Trump’s asymmetrical face
The President’s public appearance at a ceremony honouring 9/11 victims raised health concerns, with striking photographs and video from the Pentagon event revealing his face appeared lopsided. A drooping mouth on one side is a classic sign of a stroke, though Trump seemed otherwise well when the images were captured.
He left the ceremony and has subsequently made multiple public appearances without the same drooping, but it has caused alarm amongst some observers. One concerned social media user wrote: “This is President Donald Trump’s drooping face. People are worried about his health. We pray for him.”
One observer noted: “Either Trump has just been to the dentist or had a TIA (transient ischemic attack) affecting the right side of his face. He sounds very tired.”
Clinging to the podium
Shortly before those facial images were taken, the President was seen on stage delivering a speech to an assembled crowd, gripping and leaning on the podium for support, seemingly steadying himself.
This action led some to suggest that Trump might have been “extremely tired”.
The president’s ankles
Over the past year, people have picked up on a concerning detail during Trump’s public outings – the President’s swollen ankles, which appear to bulge over his shoes. This observation sparked rumours that reached the White House, with the President’s doctor revealing in a letter that Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in those over 70.
After a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies”, Barbarella concluded: “Bilateral lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasounds were performed and revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”
Days of public absence
Whilst Trump’s many peculiar public appearances have sparked the most questions, his disappearances have also triggered alarm. Back in August, the usually publicity-hungry President vanished entirely over the Labour Day weekend, prompting wild speculation that he might have died.
The hashtags #trumpisdead and #whereistrump went viral on X throughout the long weekend, whilst millions watched TikToks suggesting he may have suffered some form of medical emergency. When the President finally resurfaced, looking considerably more haggard, he faced questions about the hashtag.
He insisted he hadn’t heard about the trend, and subsequently dismissed the “reports” as “fake news”.
Ramblings
Whilst physical health concerns have lately dominated discussions surrounding Trump’s wellbeing, his mental acuity has also faced scrutiny following a string of demonstrably false statements. One such assertion was made in mid-July when he recalled a conversation with his late uncle, Dr John Trump, an engineer and senior researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
He maintained his uncle had taught Ted Kaczynski, better known as the Unabomber. He said: “I said: ‘What kind of a student was he, Uncle John? Dr John Trump.'”.
“I said: ‘What kind of a student?’ And then he said: ‘Seriously, good.’ He said: ‘He’d correct – he’d go around correcting everybody.’ But it didn’t work out too well for him.”
However, this assertion is clearly incorrect, as Dr Trump died in 1985, a whole nine years before Kaczynski was identified as the Unabomber. Moreover, Kaczynski was not an MIT student; he went to Harvard University and later the University of Michigan, where he obtained his PhD.
