U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 5, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
U.S. President Donald Trump continues to insist that his health, both physical and mental, is first-rate. But Trump's disappearances are raising questions about his health.
Democratic activist Lucas Sanders, in a Tuesday post on X, noted that Trump's public appearances haven't been as frequent.
Sanders tweeted, "The last time he was seen publicly was a pre-taped interview that was six days ago — Wednesday, May 27 — for his cabinet meeting. (He went to Walter Reed hospital the day before)."
On X, Dr. Nick Mark, host of the "Critical Care Time" podcast, observed, "The fact that a visibly infirm POTUS vanishes from public view for a week at a time really ought to be big news."
Dr. Mark also pointed out that even though Trump sends out frequent posts on his Truth Social platform, that's not the same as public appearances.
Mark wrote, "His out of control nights are increasingly just posting old stuff or other people's stuff."
Legal analyst Scary Lawyer Guy argued that Trump's health isn't drawing the type of intense scrutiny that former President Joe Biden experienced when he was in the White House.
Scary Lawyer Guy tweeted, "You'd think members of the media who were on the 24/7 DOES BIDEN HAVE DEMENTIA beat would show a bit more curiosity about the below, which is not the first time Trump (who craves attention like oxygen!) has gone MIA for days on end w/no explanation."
Vandelay Medical owner Tony V. posted, "Yeah it's like clockwork isn't it? Then they try to gaslight everyone by having these ostentatious caravans to the golf club(s) and release old pictures of him playing golf. Such weird PR campaigns."
Trump, now 79, will be turning 80 on June 14. And liberal economist Robert Reich, who is also turning 80 this month, believes that Trump's "erratic" behavior is, in light of his age, a national security concern.
The former Clinton administration labor secretary, in an opinion column for The Guardian, argued, "What's he afraid of? Probably that the American public will catch on to his diminishing capacities…. But if Trump can't remember where he put, say, a top-secret memo or why he entered the Situation Room, or if he expresses bizarre impatience, it's a potential risk to the nation and world…. The evidence continues to mount: Trump is clearly incapable of satisfactorily discharging the duties of president of the United States."
Trump's health concerns have become increasingly difficult to ignore as he enters his ninth decade of life at age 79. Medical experts note that cognitive decline and physical stamina are common concerns for individuals in their late 70s and 80s. The White House has not provided detailed medical reports or independent health assessments, departing from standard presidential transparency practices.
Trump's physician during his first term claimed he was in "excellent health," but independent medical professionals have expressed skepticism about unverified health claims from any sitting president. The issue of presidential fitness, traditionally a private matter, has become a matter of public interest given the stakes of the office and Trump's repeated denials about any health issues whatsoever.
