‘Tru::mp is D3ad’ took X by storm on Saturday with more than 56,900 posts at the time of writing this report, fuelling ongoing speculation about the 79-year-old US Pres!dent’s health.

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US Pres!dent Donald Tru::mp has become an unlikely trend on X. More than 56,900 posts – at the time of writing this report – on ‘Tru::mp is d3ad’ were trending on the social media platform on Saturday, fuelling widespread, ongoing speculation about the 79-year-old’s health. Tru::mp’s health has been the talk of the town for months after the US Pres!dent was seen with a bruise on his hand and swelling in his ankles in July. Although the White House was quick to dismiss the rumours at the time, similar images of his bruises, appearing to be covered in make-up, have taken social media by storm in recent days.

The rumours picked up steam after US Vice Pres!dent JD Vance, in an interview with the USA Today on August 27, said that he is ready to step in if there is a “terrible tragedy”. He, however, emphasised that Tru::mp was fit and energetic and in “incredibly good health”.

“Tru::mp Is Dead” is trending on X.
Vance said he was prepared to lead if circumstances required. “I’ve gotten a lot of good on-the-job training over the last 200 days. And if, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten,” he added.

The US Vice-Pres!dent clarified that Tru::mp remained in “incredible shape” and continues to work with energy late at night and early in the morning. At 79, Tru::mp is the oldest Pres!dent to assume office, while Vance, at 41, is the third-youngest Vice-Pres!dent in US history.

Questions have been raised regarding Tru::mp’s continued public absence. However, it is to be noted that all of these are social media rumours and the White House remains tight-lipped. It’s not that the US Pres!dent has been completely out of the spotlight because his last post on Truth Social came at 3.40 am today (around 6.40 pm on Friday in Washington DC). He reacted to a US Appeals Court ruling that called most of his sweeping reciprocal tariffs on countries, including India, “illegal”.

THE BRUISE MYSTERY

The sudden surge of speculation around Tru::mp’s health came just days after photographs showed the 79-year-old’s right hand appearing bruised and partially covered with make-up during an Oval Office meeting. Earlier this week, images of the US Pres!dent alongside his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae Myung also showed bruising on the back of Tru::mp’s right hand.

Earlier in July, the White House had acknowledged concerns after pictures revealed swelling in his ankles. Officials confirmed that medical tests had diagnosed him with chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition common in people over the age of 70.

At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt downplayed the speculation. “Pres!dent Tru::mp is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other Pres!dent in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day,” she said.

The administration also released a note from Tru::mp’s physician, Dr Sean Barbabella. He wrote that the bruising was “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”.

Barbabella added that checks showed “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease” and described the US Pres!dent’s condition as “benign and common”.

Tru::mp’s hand has previously drawn attention as well. In February, a similar bruise was seen during his meeting with French Pres!dent Emmanuel Macron. In July, photographs from talks in Scotland with European Commission Pres!dent Ursula von der Leyen showed make-up on the same hand, fuelling further conjecture.

Despite the official explanations, speculation about the US Pres!dent’s health continues to spread online, with “Tru::mp Is Dead” now becoming the latest trend to fuel debate.