Following a flurry of viral rumours about President Donald Trump’s ill-health and potential demise, the 79 year old leader is once again sparking concerns as an executive order he signed had to be read back to him.
These concerns resurfaced on Friday when the president signed a series of bills and executive orders, including one renaming the Department of Defense as the Department of War in the Oval Office.
Before signing each piece of legislation, the president gestured to each person accompanying him in the Oval Office to explain what he was about to sign.
For example, when he went to approve the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, which will clamp down on “trigger leads,” a term for loan applicants whose information has been sold to credit bureaus, often without their knowledge, he asked Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn. ) to explain the legislation he was about to sign.
“Good job,” the president said as he listened attentively to the Congressman explaining the bill, reports The Mirror US.
The interactions sparked a storm of outrage and confusion on social media, with users questioning whether the president knew what he was signing.
“Trump needs glasses to read,” one user commented. “He is signing stuff he hasn’t read.
“They always have to explain [the bills] to him. You’ve got to wonder how much they lie to him,” another one questioned.
However, Trump supporters dismissed the readings, arguing that they are done to provide the audience, not Trump, with more information about the bills.
“You guys are pathetic,” one Trump supporter posted on X about people who were questioning the president’s health. “He has them read back for the courtesy of the media and the American people. Biden signed things he had no clue about and didn’t tell anyone including you.”
The fresh concerns come after a week of speculation that the president’s health was rapidly declining.
Those rumours began when people on social media observed that Trump’s, 79, diary had been cleared, which is not uncommon.
People were also highlighting the large bruises that emerged on the back of his right hand, as well as his recent diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a harmless condition typical amongst individuals in their 70s characterised by blood collecting in the veins.
The president dismissed the rumours over the weekend, posting on his Truth Social platform that he had “never felt better” in his life.
He was also spotted in various golf outings with his granddaughter, Kai Trump.
Trump was also questioned about the rumours on Tuesday during an unrelated press conference at the Oval Office.
When asked about whether he had seen the hundreds of thousands of social media posts, he dismissed any concerns, insisting he had been “very active” over the Labor Day weekend.
“It’s sort of crazy,” he told reporters.
“A lot of people know I was very active this Labor Day.”