Donald Trump’s physical and mental health are under intense scrutiny once again, after a series of viral photos and worrying public moments have reignited serious doubts about the president’s condition.
At 79 years old, Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition causing visible swelling in his ankles and bruising on his hands. But it’s not just his physical health raising alarms.
Mental health experts are increasingly vocal about concerns over Trump’s cognitive state. Dr. Harry Segal of Cornell University has pointed to signs of dementia, noting a decline in the complexity of Trump’s speech and his reasoning abilities. A group of mental health professionals has also warned that Trump’s behavior may reflect a cognitive decline significant enough to threaten effective leadership.
The latest wave of speculation began with photos from two public events in early June — a UFC fight in New Jersey on June 7 and a construction site visit at the White House on June 9. In both, a long, unusual bulge was clearly visible running down Trump’s left leg, sparking online claims that he might be wearing a Foley catheter — a medical device used to manage urinary incontinence.
“Appears Trump is wearing a catheter,” one social media user posted alongside zoomed-in images that quickly went viral. “That line down his pants? Not a crease. It’s tubing,” another wrote. “Every step he takes sounds like the sloshing of a warm Capri Sun.”
Others suggested the bulge could be a leg brace, possibly to treat “drop foot,” a condition often linked to neurological injury. “He’s clearly wearing a catheter in the photo below,” one user insisted. “Which would explain the bizarre behavior.”
And that “bizarre behavior” has captured nearly as much attention as the photos themselves.
Recently, Trump has exhibited troubling signs in public: slurring his words, repeating himself, and showing confusion over basic facts. During a high-profile White House meeting last week, he appeared visibly disoriented when he failed to recognize Finland’s President, Alexander Stubb, who was seated right in front of him. In another moment that raised eyebrows, Trump seemed to forget the name of the Atlantic Ocean. These incidents have only intensified growing concerns about his mental state.
“A thing called…an ocean.” Trump’s dementia on display again- he can’t come up with the name for the Atlantic Ocean. pic.twitter.com/zYkHLQhOyp
— Mike Sington (@MikeSington) August 20, 2025
TRUMP: President Stubb of Finland. He's uh, somebody that, where are we here? Huh?
STUBB: I'm right here
TRUMP: Oh. pic.twitter.com/LNnLOva4e4
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 18, 2025
“It’s long been suspected he’s had one or more brain events,” one viral post read. “Bladder issues, cognitive decline, the fixation on revenge — it all fits.”
Despite the mounting speculation, Trump’s medical team insists he remains healthy. Captain Sean Barbabella, his physician, declared in April that Trump was in “excellent cognitive and physical health” after a nearly five-hour exam at Walter Reed. That checkup included heart tests, blood work, ultrasounds, and a cognitive screening. Trump reportedly scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a standard tool used to detect early dementia.
Still, critics remain unconvinced.
They point to increasingly erratic behavior in public and the unexplained bulge on his leg as signs that something is being hidden. Without transparency, speculation fills the silence.
Some supporters dismiss the rumors. “Wrinkles in his pants? Drrrr,” one wrote. Another added, “Wrinkles in the suit? Who tf cares?” But for many, the questions linger.
The truth is, no one outside Trump’s closest circle knows exactly what’s going on with his health. But between the viral images and repeated mental lapses, concern is spreading — and calls for clear answers are growing louder than ever.
