Donald Trump’s health has been a source of concern since he first joined the White House. The president has repeatedly cited Joe Biden’s poor health as a reason why he should not run for office, but now it is Trump’s health that is under scrutiny. Is he wearing a catheter? President Donald Trump has had a lot on his plate during his first few months back in office.
While the many controversies surrounding Donald Trump have made headlines, such as the trade war, Greenland’s dispute with their ally Denmark, and the recent decision to send National Guard and Marines to quell protests in response to his immigration raids in Los Angeles, questions about Trump’s health and fitness to serve in the White House have increased.
During the presidential campaign, his opponent, Kamala Harris, intended to release her medical records to the public, but Trump refused. Meanwhile, he professes to be in excellent physical and mental condition. Trump is the oldest President in American history to begin his second term in office. In April, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella presented a report claiming Trump is completely capable of serving as Commander-in-Chief.
According to the paper, Trump’s height and weight were 75 inches and 224 pounds, respectively, and he had routine scans of his eyes, ears, neck, throat, and heart. Meanwhile, Barbabella confirmed that the president had a colonoscopy in 2024. During that doctor’s visit, Trump was also diagnosed with a benign polyp and diverticulitis, which is an inflammation of the colon’s pouches. It was subsequently determined that he would have a follow-up colonoscopy in three years.
Donald Trump’s medical exam. Donald Trump’s medical report also disclosed that he was taking multiple medications, including cholesterol pills, a heart preventive medication, and a lotion to apply as needed for a “skin condition.” Furthermore, Barbabella stated that Trump underwent bilateral cataract surgery at some point, and that the president has “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function.” He decided that Trump’s “active lifestyle is helping his well-being.”
“President Trump exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Health of State,” Barbabella told CNN in April. Trump told reporters shortly after the exam: “I did a cognitive test. And I don’t know what else to tell you except that I correctly answered every question. I took a variety of tests, both heart-related and otherwise.”
While some questioned the authenticity of Trump’s most recent medical report, a new photo of him has social media users concerned about his health. On June 9, an image of Donald Trump attending an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event went viral, with multiple posts on X, Facebook, and TikTok questioning whether the president was wearing a catheter under his suit.
The image shows Kayla Harrison, who had recently won the UFC women’s bantamweight championship, wrapping her belt around Trump’s waist. One user wrote, “Trump appears to be wearing leg braces and possibly a catheter. For several years, his right side has been clearly weak. The bruises on his right hand could be the result of some type of infusion therapy. Common with Parkinson’s type disease.”
Another stated, “Trump is definitely using a Foley catheter. It’s a tube that goes into the bladder and drains pee into a bag tied to the leg. What about the line down his pants? Not a crease. It is tubing. Every step he takes resembles the sloshing of a warm Capri Sun.” The post went viral. Some defended Trump, claiming it wasn’t a catheter at all.
“No, it’s not. The pant leg is tight fitting, and the absolutely straight line is a crease. Except for after a procedure, foley catheters are not considered standard of care. “A walkie talkie patient receives self-cath or male pads,” one post stated. So, what is a Foley catheter? The Cleveland Clinic describes it as a “medical device that helps drain urine from your bladder.” If you have a condition that makes it difficult or impossible to pee, your healthcare professional may recommend Foley catheters.
You may also require a Foley catheter as your body recovers from surgery. “A provider can teach you how to insert and clean a Foley catheter.” The White House answers. The fact-checking website Snopes decided to investigate the situation. Did Donald Trump actually wear a catheter? Steven Cheung, a White House spokeswoman, claimed it was a forgery.
“The President has been the most transparent president in history, and the recent medical report that was released clearly and unequivocally shows he is in peak condition,” he told Snopes via email. “These conspiracy theories, peddled by sick individuals lurking behind social media and now given a platform by fake news, plainly suffer from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. These are the same folks who have been exposed trying to mislead the American people for years by claiming Joe Biden was cognitively well when, in reality, he was in far worse health than previously assumed.”