Context:

Donald Trump's recent absence from the public eye fueled online rumors about his health, with speculation intensifying on social media platforms. Despite the trending topic '#Trumpdead', Trump appeared on television to refute these claims, criticizing common targets and reiterating his vitality. His health has been a topic of debate, not helped by visible bruising on his hand, attributed to aspirin use, and Trump's own history of questioning opponents' health. The rumors were exacerbated by a video showing a mysterious trash bag disposal at the White House, which Trump dismissed as an AI-generated fake. The White House and Trump's aides denied any health issues, attributing the speculation to political opponents, but the rumors persisted online despite his public appearances affirming his well-being.

Dive Deeper:

• Donald Trump's absence from public events led to rampant speculation about his health, with social media platforms buzzing with conspiracy theories and the hashtag '#Trumpdead' trending on X. Trump's televised appearance was used to quell these rumors, where he criticized familiar adversaries and confirmed his health status.

• Speculation about Trump's health was partly driven by a visible bruise on his hand, which raised questions despite explanations that it was a side effect of aspirin use as part of his cardiovascular regimen. This was compounded by Trump's history of casting doubt on opponents' health, particularly that of Joe Biden.

• An unusual incident involving a video of a trash bag being thrown from the White House added fuel to the fire, with Trump dismissing it as potentially AI-generated. This incident was interpreted by some as evidence of something amiss, despite the White House's explanation that it was routine maintenance.

• Trump has previously faced scrutiny over his health transparency, with instances like the 2019 surprise trip to Walter Reed and questions about the authenticity of health statements released under his physician's name. Such history has made the public and media more sensitive to any signs of health issues.

• Despite public denials from Trump and his aides about any health problems, the rumors persisted on social media. The White House attributed the speculation to political adversaries, emphasizing Trump's energy and transparency compared to past presidents, while dismissing the online chatter as baseless.