Donald Trump has pushed back against renewed speculation about his health, offering an unusual explanation after critics accused him of dozing off during public meetings in recent months.

Questions about Trump’s condition intensified in 2025 when observers noticed a prominent bruise on his hand—one his team appeared to conceal with heavy makeup. Around the same time, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulatory condition caused by damaged leg veins that don’t function properly.

The speculation grew so intense that online rumors even claimed the 47th president had died after he briefly disappeared from public view.

Despite this, Trump has repeatedly insisted he remains in peak condition, often calling himself the “healthiest president ever,” especially after saying he passed a cognitive test with top marks last year. Still, footage showing him seemingly nodding off during meetings has fueled criticism.