Overview

• An uncharacteristic Labor Day weekend with no public events fueled online speculation, with searches like “Trump dead” and “Where is Donald Trump” trending on Google and X.
• Trump countered the rumors with more than 40 Truth Social posts over 24 hours, declaring in all caps that he had “NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I FELT BETTER.”
• Photographs showed him leaving the White House for Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, as media published images documenting his time on the course.
• White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, and physician Sean Barbabella said hand bruising aligns with frequent handshakes and aspirin use, noting excellent cognitive and physical health.
• Vice President J.D. Vance said he is prepared to assume the presidency in the event of a “terrible tragedy,” a comment that intensified succession-focused discussion online.