Donald Trump has become the subject of renewed online speculation surrounding his health after recent photographs and video clips showed visible marks on his hands and moments where he appeared drowsy during public events. Social media users have circulated close-up images of the US president's hands alongside footage from Oval Office meetings and televised appearances, fuelling debate about his physical condition.
The latest scrutiny intensified following an Oval Office maternal healthcare event held on 11 May 2026, where Trump participated in discussions focused on women's healthcare and family policy initiatives. During parts of the meeting,video footage appearedto show the president sitting with his eyes closed and his head lowered for several seconds while other attendees continued speaking.
Clips from the event quickly spread across X, TikTok and Instagram, where critics claimed Trump appeared to have briefly fallen asleep during the meeting. Supporters, however, argued thefootage was being exaggeratedor selectively edited to encourage speculation about his fitness for office. Despite the online reaction, no official medical concerns or new diagnoses have been announced by the White House.
The 11 May meeting included appearances from Senator Katie Britt, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr Mehmet Oz and healthcare advocates discussing fertility policy and maternal healthcare initiatives. Trump spoke at length about IVF access, prescription drug costs and a proposed federal website calledMoms.govduring the event.
Reuters alsopublished photographsfrom the meeting showing Trump with his eyes closed during portions of the discussion, images that quickly circulated across social media alongside edited clips from the event.
One viral post from the accountHQNewsNowclaimed Trump appeared to be 'completely asleep at his desk during his mid-morning event'. Political commentatorHarry Sissonalso re-posted the footage, writing that Trump had 'fallen asleep with his face drooping in the Oval Office'.
Trump fell asleep with his face drooping in the Oval Office during a meeting today. This is a real video that should concern every American. He’s not fit to serve.pic.twitter.com/mNBEC9urnN
Images of Trump sleeping in the Oval Office this morning📸 Reuterspic.twitter.com/aWn02WC7aS
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a maternal health event in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hocksteinpic.twitter.com/MyB02AzxZS
Alongside the sleeping claims, social media users also focused heavily on photographs showingvisible redness and bruising on Trump's handsduring recent appearances. Several posts compared newer images with older photographs, claiming the marks appeared darker or more noticeable in recent weeks.
Source: International Business Times UK
