Texas Border Business
Rumors of President Donald Trump’s ill health or even death spread rapidly on social media this week, with hashtags like #TrumpIsDead and #WhereIsTrump trending after he was absent from public view for several days. Images showing a recurring bruise on his right hand further fueled speculation.
On Saturday, August 30, those rumors were put to rest when Trump was seen at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. According to KOMO News, the president appeared “relaxed, in good spirits,” accompanied by his granddaughter and grandson, and waved to photographers before heading onto the course. A U.S. official confirmed that the president was “alive and well,” effectively debunking online claims.
The White House has acknowledged that Trump is dealing with a minor medical issue. In July, officials disclosed that the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, a vascular condition that causes blood pooling and swelling in the legs. The New York Magazine Intelligencer reported that CVI is “common, non-life-threatening, and often seen in older adults.”
Attention has also centered on a recurring bruise on Trump’s right hand. First noticed in 2024 and resurfacing periodically since then, it has prompted speculation about more serious health issues. White House physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor attributed the bruise to “aspirin use and minor soft tissue irritation,” stressing that there were “no signs of serious systemic illness.”
In April 2025, Trump underwent both a physical and cognitive exam. The White House released the results, which stated that the president was in “excellent health” and “fully fit to serve as commander-in-chief.” Despite this, some outlets have highlighted the administration’s lack of detail in explaining Trump’s visible symptoms. The Economic Times noted that “ambiguous explanations” from officials have left questions unanswered, fueling public concern.
Trump’s reappearance on the golf course was his first public outing since the rumors began. According to the official record of presidential trips, he played at his Virginia golf club on Saturday, though it remains unclear whether he completed a full 18-hole round. No outlet has confirmed whether the president stayed on the course for the entire game.
While conspiracy theories dominated social media platforms, observers emphasized the importance of distinguishing between rumor and fact. As People magazine noted in its coverage, Trump’s sighting “put an end to the viral speculation that had spread without credible evidence.”
With the president’s health officially described as sound and his public appearance confirming his activity, the speculation now shifts back to the White House’s approach to transparency. For now, the facts remain clear: Donald Trump continues to serve in office, is managing a manageable vascular condition, and spent part of his Saturday on the golf course in Virginia.
