Donald Trump Addresses Talks About His Disappearance During Labor Day Weekend

After days of online rumors fueled by his brief absence from public view, the 79-year-old U.S. president, and later his son, publicly pushed back against the speculation.

Wild online claims erupted over the Labor Day weekend after President Donald Trump briefly stepped out of the spotlight, fueling false rumors of his death. Back at the White House, he firmly dismissed the speculation.

At a September 2, 2025, press conference in the Oval Office, one reporter highlighted how the rumors had spread, noting they had drawn more than 1.3 million user engagements by Saturday morning before asking, “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?”

Trump, unfazed, shot back, “No, I’ve been very active actually, over the weekend, I didn’t hear that one, that’s pretty serious.” He then added, “Well, it’s fake news…You know, it’s just so — it’s so fake. That’s why the media has so little credibility.”

While he was aware of questions about his health, he said he had not realized how far the speculation had spiraled. “I knew they were saying, like, ‘Is he okay? How’s he feeling? What’s wrong?’ he remarked.

The president went on to explain that he had spent the holiday at his Virginia golf club, playing daily, and gave an interview to The Daily Caller on Friday.

“Last week, I did numerous news conferences, all successful. They went very well, like this is going very well. And then I didn’t do any for two days, and they said, ‘There must be something wrong with him.’ Biden wouldn’t do them for months,” Trump stated.

The uproar also drew in his son, Eric Trump, who weighed in on X. In his post, he condemned those spreading the false claims. He also amplified a report quoting his father as saying he had “Never felt better in my life.”

As previously reported, more details later surfaced about the president’s Labor Day weekend at his Virginia golf club, revealing he was not out of view, but surrounded by family.

At 8:45 a.m. on August 30, Trump was spotted for the first time. He reemerged into public view clad in a crisp white polo shirt, sharp black pants, and his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat.

At his side were his teenage granddaughter, Kai Trump, and grandson, Spencer Frederick Trump. The trio was ushered into a waiting vehicle bound for his beloved golf club in Sterling, Virginia.

Speculation over Trump’s well-being began swirling earlier in the week when the White House released a blank schedule for Labor Day weekend, listing no public events.

The president had last been seen on Tuesday during a Cabinet meeting, prompting some online spectators to theorize about his health — or whether he was even alive.

One netizen commented, “Our last president wasn’t seen often for days at a time [sic] why jump to conclusions after a few days?”

Others were less forgiving, with one mocking, “It’s his clone lol.” Another went further, alleging, “Dude, that clearly isn’t even him!” Another netizen couldn’t resist ridiculing the president’s famously branded wardrobe, writing, “Does he own clothes that DON’T have his name in them??”

More netizens questioned Trump’s decision to wear his name across his clothing, joking that it was there in case he forgot his identity. Other critics aimed at his appearance, suggesting he looked unwell and even comparing him to a character in “Weekend at Bernie’s.”

Observers also remarked that the president seemed to have lost interest in maintaining his famously styled hair, interpreting it as a sign of poor health or aging. Still, some dismissed the frenzy altogether, pointing to his ongoing golf outings as proof that the president was doing just fine.

As speculation raged online, Vice President J. D. Vance publicly defended Trump’s health while also addressing his own readiness to lead if needed. Speaking to USA TODAY on August 27, Vance defended his embattled commander-in-chief while also confronting the haunting question: What if tragedy strikes?

“The president is in incredibly good health. He’s got incredible energy,” Vance said, noting that Trump often outworks staffers who are decades younger.

“He’s the last person making phone calls at night, and he’s the first person who wakes up and the first person making phone calls in the morning,” he continued.

While adamant that Trump remains fit to serve, Vance did not shy away from acknowledging the cold reality of age and risk. In a strikingly candid admission, the Ohio senator-turned-vice president addressed the looming “what ifs” that critics have been whispering about.

“Yes, terrible tragedies happen. But I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term, and do great things for the American people,” he confidently stated.

Vance also revealed how he sees himself in the shadow of possible catastrophe. The 41-year-old vice president, barely 200 days into his historic role, painted a picture of sobering responsibility. “And if, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days,” he confessed.

This is not the first time Trump’s health has been a topic of conversation. He recently drew fresh attention after photos from a recent press conference appeared to show makeup applied to his hand. The incident has led to renewed public scrutiny and speculation over his health.

Trump’s right hand was noticeably covered with a patch of lighter-toned foundation during a briefing held in the Oval Office. Despite attempts to obscure it by folding his left hand over his right, the makeup remained visible when he stood to greet FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who had just arrived from Italy.

As images from the event circulated online, questions quickly followed. Some users focused on the apparent use of makeup. “Looks like makeup,” one person wrote. Another added, “It is base makeup. Likely over a bruise. Point is?”

Others were more critical of the application itself. “The massive glob of discolored foundation on President Donald Trump’s hand today really has me questioning whether they are even trying to blend correctly,” one comment read.

Speculation soon turned to possible health concerns. “Can somebody explain this patch on Donald Trump’s hand? Looks odd,” a netizen asked. Another noted, “Notice how he covers his right hand with his left to hide the bruising.”

Concern over Trump’s physical condition was echoed in more pointed reactions.“This guy is not doing well. Hands all bruised,” one critic wrote. Others questioned whether there was something more going on.

“What happened to Donald Trump’s hand?” one asked. Another observed, “Is something wrong with his left hand? Fingers all the same length and looks swollen?”

Public focus on Trump’s hands is not new. In July, he was seen with apparent bruising on his hand and visible swelling in his legs, raising similar questions about his health.

At the time, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the concerns during a briefing, citing a medical evaluation conducted by the White House Medical Unit.

According to a letter from the president’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella, Trump, 79, underwent a “comprehensive examination, including diagnostic vascular studies.” The evaluation revealed chronic venous insufficiency — a condition the letter described as “benign and common, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.”

The tests were ordered after Trump reportedly experienced “mild swelling in his lower legs” over the course of several weeks. “Importantly, there was no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease,” Leavitt said, quoting from the physician’s findings. Laboratory results were also “within normal limits.”

In addition to vascular studies, Trump received an echocardiogram, which, according to Barbabella’s report, showed no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness.