Former President Donald Trump has consistently been at the center of speculation regarding his physical condition—especially as he seeks another term in the White House. While Trump has often questioned the health and cognitive fitness of his political opponents, online conversations have increasingly turned toward his own well-being.
Health in the Spotlight
As the oldest U.S. president to potentially serve a second term, Trump’s medical status is a topic of ongoing public interest. In April, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella released a report stating Trump was in good health, describing his cardiovascular and neurological function as “robust.” The report also included details such as his height (75 inches), weight (224 pounds), and past procedures, including bilateral cataract surgery and a colonoscopy that revealed a benign polyp and diverticulitis. A follow-up procedure was scheduled for three years later.
According to Dr. Barbabella, the former president is prescribed medication for cholesterol, a skin condition, and cardiac health. “President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health,” the report concluded.
Trump himself later reinforced this message by telling reporters, “I took a cognitive test… I got every answer right.”
Speculation Ignites After Viral UFC Appearance
Despite these assurances, a photo taken on June 9 at a UFC event sparked a fresh wave of health rumors. Trump was seen posing with fighter Kayla Harrison, who had just claimed the women’s bantamweight championship. Social media users zoomed in on what they claimed was tubing running down the leg of Trump’s trousers—suggesting he might be wearing a Foley catheter, a device used to drain urine from the bladder.
One viral post alleged that Trump displayed signs of right-side weakness and possible leg braces, while others interpreted the visible line in his trousers as catheter tubing. A particularly vivid comment read, “That line down his pants? Not a crease. It’s tubing.”
Still, not everyone agreed. Some users argued the line was simply a well-pressed crease in his suit and dismissed the speculation as baseless. “Foley catheters aren’t typically worn like that in active individuals,” one commenter noted.
What Is a Foley Catheter?
To clarify the discussion, medical experts explain that Foley catheters are generally used in clinical settings for patients with urinary complications or during recovery from surgery. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the device is not commonly used by ambulatory individuals unless under very specific circumstances.
Official Response from the Trump Team
The rumors prompted a fact-check from Snopes. White House spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the claims, calling them “conspiracy theories” and reaffirming the president’s clean bill of health. “These are lies spread by deranged individuals on social media. President Trump’s recent medical evaluation clearly proves he is in peak condition,” Cheung stated.
Public Fascination with Presidential Health
Presidential health has always been a matter of public concern, particularly when a candidate is in their late 70s or early 80s. As voters assess leadership ability, the physical and cognitive fitness of each contender will continue to be scrutinized, fairly or not.
So—is there any truth to the catheter rumor? At this point, all claims remain unproven and speculative. As with any viral narrative, it’s important to rely on verified medical information rather than social media commentary.