White House moves to quash Trump health rumours amid viral claims
US President Donald Trump looks on during a presentation of the Commander-in-Chief's trophy to the US Navy Midshipmen football team of the United States Naval Academy, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 20, 2026. PHOTO; REUTERS
The White House on Saturday shut down rumours that President Donald Trump was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre after speculation about his health erupted online.
According to The Daily Star, the US president's well-being has remained a significant focus throughout his second term, with Americans examining his numerous public gaffes, apparent physical constraints, and reported medical issues.
Read: What’s going on with Donald Trump? New comments fuel online speculation
Speculation erupted about Trump’s health when the White House announced at 11:08 am on Saturday that the president would not be making any public appearances for the remainder of the day. This was an uncommon decision for Trump, as he typically heads to Mar-a-Lago for golf on weekends.
The Daily Star reported that there was speculation that the president had been taken to the military hospital after streets in the Washington area were closed.
As rumours swirled online about Trump's health, Trump's personal spokesman, Steven Cheung, appeared to try and shut down the speculation, posting on X, "There has never been a president who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump," adding that the president "has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office."
There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump. On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office.
God Bless him.— Steven Cheung (@StevenCheung47) April 4, 2026
Trump's previous visit to the facility occurred in October when he allegedly underwent an MRI scan. "I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect," the president informed reporters aboard Air Force One at the time.
Trump, at 79, one of the eldest presidents in US history, did not clarify why he received the scan. "The doctor said [it] was some of the best reports, for the age, they've ever seen," Trump added.
According to The Daily Star, Trump even advised reporters to "ask the doctors" when questioned about why he had the MRI.
Read More: Donald Trump covers hand with makeup in Washington DC appearance, fuelling speculation over health
Trump's appointment constituted a "scheduled follow-up evaluation as part of his ongoing health maintenance plan and included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventative health assessments," according to presidential physician Dr Sean Barbabella.
According to Dr Barbabella, the president "continues to demonstrate excellent overall health," the British tabloid reported. Further, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) stated that MRI scans were especially useful for examining soft tissues, as they employ powerful magnetic fields to create images of a patient's internal organs.
The White House announced in 2025 that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. According to Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the president's doctor identified the condition after noticing swelling in his legs.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins fail to return blood to the heart properly, causing blood to collect in the lower extremities. According to a statement from Barbabella, the condition is "benign and common" amongst elderly individuals.
The Daily Star noted that Trump had also recently been spotted wearing cosmetic patches on the back of his hand. According to the White House, the bruising results from constant handshaking and bears no connection to the vein condition.