The White House has issued a firm denial regarding recent reports suggesting that President Donald Trump experienced a stroke several months ago. Administration officials labeled these claims as completely false and part of a pattern of misleading journalism.
Official Response on Social Media
In a direct response posted on the X platform, the Trump administration addressed the Daily Beast article directly. The official statement read, "Another day, another BS Fake News 'story' from the Daily Beast. President Trump is in excellent health, despite all of your deranged wishcasting." This strong language reflects the administration's frustration with what they consider unfounded speculation about the president's physical condition.
Medical Professor's Controversial Claims
The controversy began when Professor Bruce Davidson from Washington State University's Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine made startling assertions during a podcast appearance. Davidson claimed to have identified what he called "lines of evidence" suggesting President Trump suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain.
According to the professor, this medical event likely occurred approximately six months ago or earlier in 2025. He presented his analysis during a conversation with biographer Sidney Blumenthal and Princeton historian Sean Wilentz on The Court of History podcast.
Specific Observations Cited
Professor Davidson based his conclusions on several behavioral changes he observed in public footage of the president:
- Altered gait patterns: Davidson noted videos showing Trump shuffling his feet, contrasting with his previous confident stride on golf courses
- Hand positioning: The professor pointed to instances where Trump appeared to cradle his right hand in his left hand
- Speech patterns: Davidson claimed the president experienced garbled speech earlier in 2025, though he acknowledged improvement in recent months
- Sleepiness episodes: The medical professor described what he called "marked episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness" during public events
Additional Supporting Observations
Davidson further highlighted specific moments that he believes support his theory. He mentioned footage showing President Trump carefully descending Air Force One steps while gripping the banister with his left hand. The professor found this particularly noteworthy since Trump is naturally right-handed.
Medical professionals refer to excessive daytime sleepiness as hypersomnolence. Davidson explained that this condition commonly appears among stroke patients during recovery periods. He suggested the president's apparent tendency to nod off during White House events might indicate such a medical history.
Lack of Specific Medical Details
Despite his detailed observations, Professor Davidson did not specify what type of stroke he believes the president might have experienced. He did acknowledge that if his assessment proves accurate, Trump appears to have made "significant recovery" from whatever medical event occurred.
Broader Context of Health Speculation
These recent claims emerge against a backdrop of ongoing speculation about President Trump's health. For several months, observers have noted visible bruises on the president's hands during public appearances. These marks have sometimes appeared covered with makeup, fueling further discussion about his physical condition.
The White House maintains that President Trump remains in robust health despite these persistent rumors. Administration officials continue to dismiss all such reports as politically motivated fabrications without medical foundation.
