Overview

• Jake Tapper showed graphics of a text-message exchange he said was with President Trump on State of the Union, with no on-camera appearance by the president.
• Tapper did not detail how authorship of the responses was confirmed, including messages that read “Total Obliteration” on Hamas and a claim the shutdown is “cutting costs big time.”
• The episode has renewed questions about the president’s physical condition following months of visible signs that the White House has described as benign.
• A July physician’s memo cited a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency for ankle swelling, and officials have attributed hand bruising to frequent handshakes and aspirin use.
• Reporters note reduced public appearances and intermittent speech and gait anomalies, while Vice President J.D. Vance has taken a larger public role during the government shutdown.