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White House Dismisses Reports of Trump Suffering a Stroke as “Fake News”
The White House has forcefully rejected claims that President Donald Trump suffered a stroke several months ago that has been concealed from the public, calling the reports “deranged wishcasting” in an official response.
The denial came after The Daily Beast published an article featuring claims from Professor Bruce Davidson of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, who suggested during an appearance on the podcast “The Court of History” that Trump had experienced a stroke earlier this year.
“Another day, another BS Fake News ‘story’ from the Daily Beast,” the Trump administration posted on X, formerly Twitter. “President Trump is in excellent health, despite all of your deranged wishcasting.”
Davidson, speaking to biographer Sidney Blumenthal and Princeton historian Sean Wilentz on the podcast, claimed he had identified what he called “lines of evidence supportive” of a stroke diagnosis based on public footage and appearances of the President.
“I think his stroke was on the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body,” Davidson told the podcast hosts. “I think the stroke was six months ago or more, earlier in 2025.” The professor said he based his assessment on behavioral changes he observed in recent months.
Among the supposed evidence cited by Davidson were videos showing the President “shuffling his feet,” which he contrasted with Trump’s previous stride on golf courses. Davidson also noted instances where Trump appeared to cradle his right hand in his left and episodes where he seemed to garble words—symptoms that Davidson suggested had somewhat improved in recent appearances.
The professor further pointed to what he described as “marked episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness,” a condition medically known as hypersomnolence, which he indicated is common among stroke patients. According to Davidson, the President has been observed nodding off during public events, including official White House functions.
Another piece of evidence Davidson referenced was footage of Trump carefully descending the steps of Air Force One while gripping the handrail with his left hand, despite the President being right-handed—behavior Davidson characterized as “consistent with having had a stroke on the left side of the brain.”
While Davidson did not specify what type of stroke he believed the President may have suffered, he acknowledged that if his assessment were correct, Trump appears to have “had significant recovery.”
The speculation comes amid broader discussions about the President’s health that have circulated for months. Trump has occasionally appeared in public with visible bruising on his hands, which observers have noted he attempted to conceal with makeup.
The White House’s strong denial reflects the administration’s consistent approach to reports questioning the President’s health—swiftly rejecting them as baseless attacks. Health speculation has become increasingly common in American politics, particularly as both major parties’ presumptive nominees for the 2024 presidential election are in their late 70s.
Medical experts not associated with the administration have noted that making remote diagnoses based solely on public appearances can be problematic and unreliable. The American Medical Association generally discourages physicians from offering diagnostic opinions about individuals they have not personally examined.
The controversy highlights the tension between public interest in a president’s health and medical privacy, a debate that has intensified in recent administrations as questions about fitness for office have become more prominent in political discourse.
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8 Comments
While the medical expert’s analysis is interesting, the White House’s forceful denial of these claims carries significant weight. Without access to the president’s full medical records, it’s difficult to validate these rumors. I’ll wait for more concrete evidence before forming an opinion on this matter.
Interesting claims, but the White House has firmly denied any stroke incident. Seems like unsubstantiated speculation at this point. I’ll wait for more concrete evidence before forming an opinion on the president’s health.
It’s concerning to see these reports of a potential stroke, but the White House’s dismissal of the claims as “fake news” gives me pause. Without access to the president’s medical records, it’s hard to determine the validity of these allegations. I’ll reserve my opinion until more verifiable information becomes available.
This is an intriguing development, but I think it’s important to wait for more substantive proof before drawing any conclusions. The White House’s rebuttal of these claims as “deranged wishcasting” suggests they may be unfounded. I’ll be monitoring this story for updates from reliable sources.
The White House’s strong pushback against these stroke rumors is understandable, but I’m curious to see if any additional information or evidence emerges to support the professor’s claims. For now, I’ll withhold judgment and monitor this story for updates from reliable sources.
I’m skeptical of these rumors of a hidden stroke. The White House’s dismissal of the claims as “fake news” seems to carry more weight. Unless credible medical professionals provide clear evidence, I’m inclined to trust the official denial.
The White House’s swift and confident dismissal of these stroke rumors is noteworthy. Unless compelling evidence emerges to the contrary, I’m inclined to trust their assessment that this is simply “fake news.” Unsubstantiated speculation can be harmful, so I’ll reserve judgment until more facts come to light.
While the podcast guest’s analysis sounds plausible, the White House’s forceful rejection of these rumors raises doubts. Without access to the president’s full medical records, it’s difficult to evaluate the validity of these speculations. I’ll reserve judgment until more verifiable information comes to light.