Donald Trump’s health has been a subject of public scrutiny since his first term in the White House, and it has resurfaced once again during the early months of his return to office.
Throughout his political career, Trump has frequently questioned the physical and mental fitness of his rivals, most notably former President Joe Biden. Now, however, attention has shifted toward Trump himself, with renewed speculation about whether he is physically fit to serve — and even viral claims suggesting he may be wearing a catheter.
Trump has faced a turbulent start to his second term. Alongside major policy controversies — including trade disputes, tensions with Denmark over Greenland, and his decision to deploy National Guard troops and Marines in response to protests following immigration raids in Los Angeles — questions about his health have increasingly entered public discourse.
During the presidential race against Kamala Harris, Harris released her medical records publicly, while Trump declined to do the same, instead insisting he was in excellent physical and mental condition. At 78, Trump became the oldest U.S. president to begin a second term, further fueling debate about age and fitness for office.
In April, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella released a medical report stating that Trump was fully fit to serve as commander-in-chief. According to the report, Trump measured 75 inches tall and weighed 224 pounds. Examinations of his heart, eyes, ears, neck, and throat were described as normal, and his overall cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and physical function were characterized as robust.
The report also noted that Trump underwent a colonoscopy in 2024, during which doctors identified a benign polyp and diverticulitis, a condition involving inflammation of the colon. A follow-up colonoscopy was scheduled for three years later. Additionally, the report listed several medications, including prescriptions for cholesterol management, cardiac prevention, and a topical cream for a skin condition. It also confirmed that Trump had previously undergone bilateral cataract surgery.
Barbabella concluded that Trump’s active lifestyle contributed positively to his health, stating that the president exhibited “excellent cognitive and physical health” and was fully capable of fulfilling his duties. Trump echoed that assessment in remarks to reporters, saying he had taken a cognitive test and various medical evaluations and “got every answer right.”
Despite the official report, skepticism persisted among some critics. That skepticism intensified after a photograph from a June 9 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event went viral. The image showed Trump standing with UFC fighter Kayla Harrison, who had just won the women’s bantamweight championship and placed her belt around his waist. Social media users began speculating about a visible line down Trump’s pant leg, with some claiming it indicated a catheter.
Several posts on platforms such as X, Facebook, and TikTok suggested Trump was wearing leg braces or a Foley catheter, with some users linking the claim to unverified theories about neurological conditions. One widely shared post asserted that the line was tubing connected to a urine collection bag, while others mocked the speculation or offered medical explanations.
Not everyone agreed with the claim. Medical professionals and commentators pushed back, arguing that the line appeared to be nothing more than a standard crease in fitted trousers. Some pointed out that Foley catheters are typically used only under specific medical circumstances, such as after surgery, and are not common for mobile patients.
A Foley catheter, according to the Cleveland Clinic, is a medical device used to drain urine from the bladder when a person cannot urinate normally or is recovering from surgery. It requires medical supervision and proper care.
The fact-checking outlet Snopes investigated the viral claims and contacted the White House for comment. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the rumors outright, calling them false and politically motivated.
“The President has been the most transparent president in history,” Cheung said in a statement to Snopes, adding that the recent medical report clearly showed Trump was in peak condition. He criticized the spread of what he described as conspiracy theories fueled by social media and partisan media outlets.
While the catheter speculation has been debunked by fact-checkers and denied by the White House, the episode underscores how intensely scrutinized Trump’s health remains — and how quickly unverified claims can gain traction online. As debates about age, fitness, and transparency continue, Trump’s health is likely to remain a recurring topic in the political conversation.
