A years-old, close-up photograph of former US President Donald Trump has resurfaced on the internet, setting off a fresh wave of online mockery and intense speculation about his physical condition. The image, which focuses on Trump's lower leg, appears to show an unusually swollen ankle or sock, leading to a flood of sarcastic guesses about its contents.
Viral Claim: Money 'Stuffed' in the Sock?
The picture gained massive traction after a user on X, @PopularLiberal, who boasts over 70,000 followers, shared it on Christmas Eve. The post contained a sarcastic allegation that quickly became the narrative's cornerstone. "TRUMP THINKS HE'S SLICK. THAT'S YOUR TAX MONEY STUFFED IN HIS SOCK. HE SIPHONED THE WHOLE TREASURY STRAIGHT INTO HIS ANKLE," the caption read.
This post went viral rapidly, amassing more than 24,000 likes and being retweeted over 1,100 times by the following Wednesday. The renewed attention feeds into persistent online rumours concerning Trump's health, although no official medical information has been linked to this specific image.
Netizens React: From Mockery to Medical Concern
Social media reactions were a mixed bag of humour, political jibes, and genuine worry. While many users crafted jokes, others pointed to potential medical issues. Swollen ankles are a known symptom of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a vascular condition common in older adults that hinders blood flow from the legs back to the heart.
The comment section under the viral post showcased the spectrum of responses:
- One user joked, "I always thought the bulges in his socks were the overflow from tRumps diapers."
- Another added to the mockery: "Finally, somebody figured that out. Also, he's really not the president. He's just a big collectible PEZ candy dispenser."
- Striking a more serious note, a third commenter stated, "If that's actually his ankle, he has some major heart issues."
- A fourth user coined the nickname "President McCankles."
Context and Previous Health Scrutiny
The viral image is not new; it is believed to originate from July 13, when Donald Trump attended the FIFA Club World Cup Final in New Jersey. At that time, the photograph already attracted significant attention because Trump's visibly swollen and bruised hands were already a topic of public discussion and media queries.
Back then, the White House faced aggressive questioning about the 79-year-old President's health. In an attempt to address the concerns, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had stated, "You see the president every day, he's working, he's moving, he's continuing." The recent revival of the ankle photo indicates that such speculation remains a recurring theme in online discourse surrounding the former president.
The episode highlights how old visuals can be repurposed in the digital age to fuel new narratives, blending political satire with unverified health rumours, all while the official channels maintain silence on the matter.
