Donald Trump’s health has been a widely debated topic recently, especially on social media. From analyses about a blue patch on his hand to speculation over his sudden disappearance, health experts, scientists, and doctors have offered a range of opinions on the fate of the 79-year-old US president. But not everyone is enthusiastic about such public assessments. Some argue there is little to say about the real health of public figures by merely looking at pictures or snippets of public appearances.
Azeem Majeed, Professor and Head of the Department of Primary Care & Public Health at Imperial College London, is one of them. Speaking to the Express, the GP explained why it is risky to comment on someone’s health without proper access to their medical records. “Without direct access to comprehensive medical records, including lab results, imaging, and detailed clinical notes on diseases and their severity, any assessment relies on incomplete or second hand data, such as public appearances, media reports, or partial disclosures. This leads to guesswork rather than evidence-based conclusions,” he explained.
The doctor went on to point out the risk of misenrpreting publicly available information. Last month, social media platforms were dominated by the trending phrase Trump Is Dead. This sparked serious speculations about the possibility of Trump’s death. However, this backfired as soon as Trump appeared on a golfing trip with his granddaughter a few days later. He then posted “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE” on Truth Social.
“Publicly available information, like videos or statements, can be misinterpreted. For example, a public figure’s behaviour or appearance might be attributed to a medical condition when it could be due to fatigue, stress, or other non-medical factors,” Majeed said.
In July, White House confirmed that Trump has a medical condition in his veins called chronic venous insufficiency. Since then, there were speculations whether the mysterious bruise on his hand had to do something with the condition. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the appearance of Trump’s hands was consistent with tissue damage from frequent handshaking. Some doctors, however, pointed to blood-thinning drugs, skin fragility or IV therapy.
To confirm anything, Majeed said diagnoses require a full family history, lifestyle, and details of current and previous medical conditions. Without this, any assessment risks being “inaccurate or misleading”.
Another issue is undermining the credibility of the medical profession. According to the doctor, professional bodies caution doctors against diagnosing individuals they have not personally examined, as such speculation can harm reputations and erode public trust in the medical profession. In the UK, the General Medical Council (GMC) advises doctors to maintain patient confidentiality and avoid public speculation about individuals’ health without their consent.
“Public speculation by doctors can fuel misinformation, especially when amplified by the print and broadcast media or by social media platforms. Public figures are entitled to privacy. Speculative assessments can lead to unwarranted scrutiny about their health and medical history.
“While there might be public curiosity about the health of political leaders, doctors have a professional and ethical duty to refrain from making speculative diagnoses or assessments of public figures without the benefit of a full clinical evaluation and the individual’s consent.”