Rumors concerning former US President Donald Trump's health began circulating on 29/8. This followed a period without updates on his schedule, combined with an old photo of a bruise on his hand resurfacing on social media, garnering millions of views.
During a press conference on 2/9, a reporter asked Trump for his reaction to rumors of his death. The former president responded that he'd been informed of rumors about his health, but was unaware they had escalated to claims of his demise.
"I didn't have anything on my schedule for two days, so they said, 'He must be ill'," Trump stated at the White House press conference on 2/9.
He asserted that he was "very busy" throughout the weekend and the Labor Day holiday on 1/9. Labor Day in the US falls on the first Monday of September.
"I was out seeing some friends at a club near the Potomac River. I had a lot of activity," he emphasized, comparing himself to his successor, President Joe Biden.
"Biden doesn't show up for months, and nobody says he's ill, even though we all know he's not in good health," Trump remarked. "Too much fake news; that's why the media has such low credibility now."
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Former US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 2/9. Photo: AFP |
Former US President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., on 2/9. Photo: AFP
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained in July that Trump's bruised hand was due to "frequent handshaking and aspirin use." His leg swelling was attributed to chronic venous insufficiency, a common and generally benign condition in people in their seventies.
Trump's physician has consistently reported him to be in good health. A medical report released in April indicated that Trump has no heart conditions or other serious health issues. The report stated that Trump is 1.91 m tall, weighs 101.6 kg, has a resting heart rate of 62 beats per minute, blood pressure of 128/74 mmHg, blood oxygen saturation of 99% while breathing room air, and a body temperature of approximately 37 degrees Celsius.
Video shared on social media of a trash bag being thrown from a second-story White House window. Video: X/Leading Report
In addition to addressing health rumors, Trump responded to questions about a viral video showing a trash bag thrown from a second-story White House window.
"It must be AI-generated. You can't open the windows. You know why? Because they are all bulletproof, sealed, and very heavy," he said, requesting to see the video.
After reporter Peter Doocy approached the podium and showed Trump the video, the former president remarked on the realism of AI-generated videos being "a little scary."
US media outlets previously quoted a White House official stating the trash bag was discarded by a contractor during "routine maintenance" while Trump was away.
Hong Hanh (Via Fox News/Reuters/AFP)
