MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump going missing from the public and from the press pool on Thursday and Friday as his health appears to be deteriorating before our eyes and JD Vance says he’s ready to fill in if “tragedy hits.”
You’re referencing headlines like “Trump GOES MISSING as Health TAKES TURN for WORSE”, but here’s the complete picture:
What’s Actually Happening
1. Rumors sparked by brief absence
From late August through Labor Day weekend 2025, President Trump had no public appearances scheduled for several days; this absence fueled widespread speculation on social media about his health and even rumors of death IndiatimesHouston ChronicleThe Daily Beast.
2. Visible, but benign, health signs
Observers and media noted bruising on his right hand and swelling in his ankles. The White House attributed these symptoms to harmless causes: frequent handshakes and aspirin use in the case of the hand; and a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a common and manageable condition in older adults—for the ankles AP NewsReutersPeople.comWikipedia.
3. Trump responds publicly
On September 2, 2025, Trump held a press event in the Oval Office—announcing the relocation of U.S. Space Command headquarters—and directly addressed the swirling rumors. He called them “fake news,” emphasized he had been “very active over the weekend,” and famously stated he had “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE” AP News+2AP News+2People.com+1New York MagazineThe GuardianReutersThe Daily Beast.
So: Was Trump Actually “Missing” or Doomed?
No.
- He wasn’t missing—he maintained activity, including media interviews and a golf outing—even if not publicly visible every day ReutersAP NewsHouston ChronicleThe Daily Beast.
- No credible sources have reported a serious health decline; all concerns were speculative and widely dismissed by both Trump and his medical team IndiatimesHouston ChronicleAP NewsPeople.comThe Guardian.
Summary Table
| Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Trump goes missing” | Brief absence from public schedule—but active privately and online. |
| “Health takes turn for worse” | Bruises and swelling explained by minor medical conditions. |
| Serious health crisis or death? | No confirmed evidence; addressed and denied by Trump and his team. |
If you’d like, I can dive deeper into the details of CVI, how aspirin can lead to bruising, or the broader media reaction and fact-checks around this rumor wave. Just say the word!