The reason for the White House flying a flag at half-mast, leading to speculation about Donald Trump’s death, has been clarified.
Trump’s health has been a topic of media focus recently, especially after he was seen with a noticeable bruise on his hand, which his team attempted to conceal with heavy makeup.
The President is reported to have been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition involving damage to leg veins preventing them from functioning properly.
Amidst remarks from Vice President JD Vance and Trump’s reduced public presence, supporters grew worried over the weekend due to rumors of his death spreading online.
This speculation was quelled when Trump was seen on the South Lawn of the White House with his granddaughter Kai Trump, heading to the Trump National golf course in Sterling, Virginia.
The flag being flown at half-mast at the White House last week further fueled rumors, as it is typically a gesture to honor deaths or significant tragedies.
However, Trump had ordered the American flag to be lowered in honor of the victims of the Minneapolis mass shooting.
Two children lost their lives and 17 others were injured when 23-year-old Robin Westman opened fire at Annunciation Catholic School last week.
Trump addressed the death rumors through a post on his Truth Social platform.
“NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE. Also, DC IS A CRIME FREE ZONE! President DJT,” he declared.
This was in response to a MAGA supporter who wrote: “Joe Biden would go multiple days at a time without any public appearances and the media would say he’s ‘sharp’ and ‘top of his game’.
“President Trump puts in more public work hours than any other POTUS in US history, and media freaks out if he disappears for 24 hours. Comical double standard.”
Comments from Vance seemed to exacerbate the situation.
“I’ve had a lot of on-the-job training in the last 200 days, but the president is in incredibly good health. He’s got incredible energy,” Vance conveyed to USA Today last week.
He acknowledged that ‘terrible tragedies happen’, but expressed confidence that Trump is ‘in good shape’ and will complete his term.