"Trump Health Rumors" Sweep the U.S.: Why Even Death Speculation Is Spreading [Current Affairs Show]

Trump Disappears from Public Eye for Three Days, Fueling Death Rumors
Concerns Rise Over Advanced Age, Bruised Hand, and High-Calorie Diet

■ Broadcast: Asia Economy 'So Jongseop's Current Affairs Show'

■ Host: Political Specialist So Jongseop

■ Director: Producer Lee Miri

■ Guest: Reporter Lee Hyunwoo

Speculation about the health of U.S. President Donald Trump has resurfaced and is once again making headlines. Recently, rumors of President Trump's deteriorating health have spread rapidly in the United States, especially through social networking services (SNS), with even rumors of his death causing a stir. In response, President Trump released footage of himself playing golf with his granddaughter, aiming to demonstrate his vitality and put the rumors to rest.

Trump Disappears from Public for Three Days... Death Rumors Spread

On the 30th of last month (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump publicly showed off his vigor by visiting a golf course. He is entering the golf course with his granddaughter Kai Trump. Photo by AP News Agency

The latest wave of health rumors began when President Trump suddenly disappeared from public view for three days, from the 27th to the 29th of last month. Considering President Trump's usual tendency to schedule events and make statements even on holidays, and his constant use of SNS, this was highly unusual. During this period, there were no public events, press conferences, public statements, or any activity on social media.

The situation was further exacerbated by a statement from Vice President JD Vance on the 28th. In an interview with USA Today, Vice President Vance said, "President Trump is healthy," but added, "If anything were to happen, I am prepared to assume the duties of the presidency." Although this was a standard remark for a vice president, it fueled various negative speculations on social media.

As these coincidences piled up, rumors of President Trump's death spread uncontrollably across SNS. Eventually, President Trump released footage of himself playing golf with his granddaughter to the media, which calmed the rumors. However, concerns about the health of President Trump, who at 78 has become the oldest president to serve a second term in U.S. history, have become even more frequent than during his first term.

Bruise on the Back of His Hand and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Diagnosis... White House: "A Common Condition"

On the 25th of last month (local time), a close-up of the right hand of former U.S. President Donald Trump (left) shaking hands with President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. A dark bluish mark resembling a bruise was spotted on the back of his hand. Photo by AP Yonhap News

Another reason health rumors persist is the visible signs of health issues. In particular, the dark bruise spotted on the back of President Trump's hand during his handshake with President Lee Jae Myung became a major topic of discussion. Since this was not the first time such a mark had been seen, concerns have grown in the United States.

Additionally, recent footage of President Trump at a golf course showing swollen legs and him stumbling while walking has further heightened health concerns. To quell these rumors, President Trump recently announced that he had undergone a thorough medical examination.

The White House officially stated that the bruise on President Trump's hand and other health issues were due to "chronic venous insufficiency." This is a condition similar to varicose veins, commonly seen in professions that require long periods of standing, and the White House explained that about 30% of Americans over the age of 60 suffer from this relatively common disease. The White House clarified that this condition does not significantly impact the president's ability to perform his duties. However, given President Trump's age, if this condition were to develop into arterial disease or other complications, it could become more dangerous, so health concerns have not been entirely dispelled.

One reason why speculation about President Trump's health seems more convincing is his extremely unhealthy diet. President Trump is known for drinking Diet Coke like water and eating four to five hamburgers in a single meal. He is also reported to consume steaks drenched in ketchup, one liter of chocolate shake, and three to four bags of potato chips for dessert, maintaining a high-calorie diet. This has raised concerns about complications such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Strengthened Media Control Fuels Spread of Rumors

EPA Yonhap News

Interestingly, some analysts in the United States attribute the emergence of death rumors surrounding President Trump to the administration's strengthened media control. Compared to previous administrations, the Trump administration's tighter control of the media has created an environment where news sources and fact-checking are insufficient, making it easier for rumors to spread.

Experts point out that since President Trump not only controls the media but also produces news directly through his own SNS accounts, any suspension of his social media activity immediately leads to the generation of rumors due to this structural issue.

In fact, the main reason why rumors about the health of authoritarian leaders often spread in such countries is media control and the difficulty of verifying rumors. Most of the leaders who have faced death rumors have been from authoritarian regimes such as China, Russia, and North Korea. President Trump also faced numerous health rumors during his first term, and especially when he was hospitalized in intensive care due to COVID-19 in 2020, rumors of his death spread widely.

Meanwhile, some analysts say that the latest wave of health rumors is partly a boomerang effect from President Trump's previous attacks on former President Joe Biden. During the last presidential election, President Trump and the Republican Party persistently targeted former President Biden's health. They spread rumors about Biden's health and death when he stumbled while boarding Air Force One or when he was isolated for a week due to COVID-19, using these incidents for political attacks.

Now, the general interpretation in political circles is that the Democratic Party is using the same tactics against President Trump. Ultimately, the attacks previously waged by the Republican Party and President Trump have come back as a boomerang, fueling and amplifying the current rumors about President Trump's health.

Global Impact Feared if Trump Is Absent... Tariff Negotiations and Ceasefire Issues Face Uncertainty 

On the 15th of last month (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) met in Anchorage, Alaska, for a summit aimed at a ceasefire in the Ukraine war. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

There are growing concerns that if President Trump were to experience actual health problems, it would trigger significant turmoil not only in the United States but also worldwide. While the United States has a system in which the vice president assumes the remainder of the term, the question remains whether there is any politician who can truly replace Trump.

President Trump is not just the head of the administration but has become the face of the Republican Party itself. Although his approval rating has recently dropped to the 40% range, he is still expected to wield considerable influence in the midterm elections next November. More importantly, many of the concessions President Trump has secured from other countries through tariff wars are based on undocumented agreements between leaders.

Since most achievements have been made through top-down summits, there is a risk that the situation could change completely if someone other than President Trump leads the country. Other allies may not readily comply with the demands of a new leader.

Additionally, major diplomatic issues such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East have largely been managed through President Trump's personal relationships or direct diplomatic channels. If the U.S. leadership were to suddenly change, experts question whether a new leader could effectively manage such complex international affairs.

Ultimately, the consensus is that the global stage President Trump has set is so vast, and so many achievements have been shaped by his unique personality and negotiation style, that it would be difficult to find a replacement. In this context, rumors about President Trump's health have become an issue that goes beyond individual health concerns and must be considered for their potential global impact.