Donald Trump Mocks Death Rumors: ‘Horrible’

President Donald Trump mocked the “horrible rumor” that he had died, which spread across social media at the end of August.

In remarks to journalists on Friday at the recently renovated White House Rose Garden, the president blamed the viral rumor on the media.

Why It Matters

In January, Trump became the oldest person to be sworn in as president of the United States. After he was photographed with bruising on his hand, which his physician described as “benign and common,” the White House announced in July that the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

Prior to Trump’s inauguration, age played a considerable role in the 2024 presidential election, with then-President Joe Biden dropping out of the race following widespread concerns over his health and cognitive state, including from Trump. With multiple congressional leaders dying in office this year, voters continue to express concerns over the age of top American politicians.

What To Know

On August 29, false rumors that Trump, 79, had died spread across social media following claims that he hadn’t been seen in public for two days.

The hashtag #WhereIsTrump became one of the top trending topics on X. Some 158,000 posts on the social media platform also included the phrase “TRUMP IS DEAD.”

On Friday, Trump hosted a dinner for congressional leaders in the White House Rose Garden. Speaking with reporters before the dinner, Trump said, “Actually the press has been very good lately except for one rumor that they spread.”

He added that the “horrible rumor that Trump is on longer with us” was spread by the media after he missed one press conference after doing “about eight press conferences in a row, day after day after day.”

“The fake news was at it again,” Trump continued, using a term he often applies to mainstream media. The president then said that in response to the rumors, he “gave them about a three-hour press conference.”

The White House’s Rapid Response account on X shared a 44-second clip of the president’s remarks.

The rumor that Trump had died was largely a social media creation on platforms such as X and TikTok.

On August 29, TikTok user @w0odada posted a video with a caption that said, “Streets are saying donald trump is dead??? And he hasnt been seen publicly since Tuesday???”

The post received 600,000 likes and 3.5 million views on the platform.

On Tuesday, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Trump about the rumors of his demise.

The president replied: “Well, I didn’t see that. You know, I have heard—it’s sort of crazy, but 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. You wouldn’t see him, and nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him, and we know he wasn’t in the greatest of shape.”

What People Are Saying

Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump said: “We’ll say goodbye to the press, but it’s an honor to have you. And actually the press has been very good lately except for one rumor that they spread. I did about eight press conferences in a row, day after day after day. Then I missed one because I was in the Oval Office, and I also went out to a club because I had meetings at a club. … And the rumor started spreading, this horrible rumor, that Trump is on longer with us.

“I got to the club. ‘Sir, are you OK? Are You OK?’ The fake news was at it again, but because I missed one day of press conferences. So today I gave them about a three-hour press conference.”

What Happens Next

Sean Barbabella, the president’s physician, has said Trump “remains in excellent health.” Still, speculation about the president’s fitness is likely to continue from both supporters and opponents.