Donald Trump Rumors Spark Online Frenzy After Brief Hiatus

UPDATE: Social media is ablaze with speculation regarding Donald Trump‘s health after he vanished from the public eye for several days. Rumors claiming that the former president has died surged dramatically over the weekend, prompting calls for “proof of life” from Trump or the White House.

The frenzy began on Friday, July 15, 2023, when Trump’s lack of scheduled public appearances for the weekend raised eyebrows. This absence followed a couple of days spent behind closed doors, igniting a wave of posts across platforms. By 9:15 AM ET on Saturday, the hashtag #whereistrump was trending as the sixth most popular topic on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The speculation intensified after the White House flag was seen flying at half-mast, which was later clarified to be a tribute to victims of a tragic school shooting in Minnesota. Additionally, sightings of Trump’s swollen ankles and a large bruise on his hand earlier in the week fueled concern for the president’s well-being. In July, the White House disclosed that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects blood circulation in the legs.

Adding to the confusion, US Vice President JD Vance addressed the rumors in an interview with USA Today, saying, “Yes, terrible tragedies happen. But I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape.” His remarks did little to quell the swirling rumors.

However, Trump made a public appearance on Saturday, photographed playing golf with his granddaughter, Kai Trump. This sighting, along with a busy schedule set to resume on Tuesday, effectively quelled the death rumors that had accumulated over the weekend.

Despite his active recovery, the social media storm was significant. By 7:48 AM ET on Saturday, analytics reported approximately 158,000 posts featuring the phrase “TRUMP IS DEAD,” while another 42,000 included “TRUMP DIED.” Engagements on posts speculating about Trump’s health reached over 1.3 million, highlighting the intense public interest in the former president’s status.

At 79 years old, Trump remains the oldest person to have taken office as president. As his term continues, this episode is unlikely to be the last time his health and longevity become hot topics of discussion.

As new developments unfold, all eyes will be on Trump as he navigates the political landscape while addressing concerns over his health and public presence.