Speculation about President Donald Trump’s health reached fever pitch on Monday as unverified claims of First Lady Melania Trump visiting Walter Reed hospital merged with the president’s conspicuous absence from public view.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Trump would make “an exciting announcement related to the Department of Defence” at 2pm ET on Tuesday from the Oval Office, marking his first public appearance in nearly a week.
The announcement comes amid swirling online rumours fuelled by alleged road closures near Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre and claims that Melania was spotted making an unscheduled hospital visit last Thursday.
Despite Trump appearing in photographs wearing a gold USA baseball cap whilst entering a motorcade towards Trump National Golf Club on Sunday, social media users have scrutinised every detail of his recent appearances.
A pregnant woman posting on Threads claimed she encountered the First Lady during an unexpected visit to Walter Reed’s labour and delivery unit on Thursday.
Went to Walter Reed on Thursday to be monitored in Labour and Delivery because I’m very pregnant,” the woman wrote.
Mid-monitoring in triage, guess who showed up for an unscheduled ‘tour’ of Labour and Delivery? Melania Trump. Even the staff was confused as to why she was there.”
A Walter Reed staff member allegedly replied to the post, saying: “I was confused as to why she was here, it was odd, but not out of the ordinary, cause they tend to keep things running smoothly even when Secret Service is here.”
When contacted by Newsweek, a Walter Reed spokesperson declined to comment and directed queries to the White House.
The hospital rumours gained traction alongside reports of alleged road closures around the medical facility on Monday, though these claims remain unverified.
“White House to make an announcement at 2pm September 2, all roads to Walter Reed hospital shutdown. What’s going on in America?” one X user posted.
Another wrote: “PEOPLE ARE FEARING THE WORST AFTER ROADS HAVE BEEN CLOSED AROUND WALTER REED MEDICAL CENTER.”
The speculation intensified after an unverified video circulated showing what appeared to be black bin bags being thrown from a White House window.
“This can’t be legal,” one person commented on the footage.
Another added: “When in history has anything been chucked out the window, let alone during a potential health cover-up of the president.
Trump had no public events scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday or Friday last week, spending Labour Day weekend in Washington without making any appearances.
The 79-year-old president responded to the rumours on Sunday night via Truth Social, writing “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE” in response to a supporter’s post about media coverage.
Multiple sources told CNN and other outlets that Tuesday’s announcement would likely involve relocating US Space Command headquarters from Colorado to Alabama, reversing a Biden administration decision.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to join Trump for the announcement, according to reports.
The health speculation follows Trump’s July diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a condition affecting blood flow in the legs that is common in people over 70.
White House physician Dr Sean Barbabella confirmed the diagnosis after Trump experienced “mild swelling” in his lower legs and bruising on his hands.
President Trump remains in excellent health,” Leavitt stated at the time, attributing hand bruising to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.
The condition, whilst not considered serious, can cause discomfort and requires management through leg elevation, compression therapy and exercise.
Trump’s medical team specifically ruled out heart failure, kidney disease or other major systemic illnesses during comprehensive testing in July.
The president underwent his annual physical at Walter Reed in April 2025, where he was declared “fully fit for office” with no cardiovascular issues noted.
Social media users have tracked an apparent coordinated silence across Trump family accounts, with JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr, Ivanka Trump and Tiffany Trump all reportedly reducing their posting activity.
JD Vance, Don Jr, Melania, Ivanka, & Tiffany haven’t posted in over 2 days,” one X user noted, calling it “unheard of.
The hashtags #whereistrump and #TRUMPDIED trended on X over the weekend, with thousands of posts spreading unsubstantiated death rumours.
Writer Charlotte Clymer posted on Bluesky: “The only important thing about tomorrow’s press conference is whether Trump can dispel the serious concerns over his health.”
Tuesday’s announcement has sparked speculation ranging from the expected Space Command relocation to more dramatic theories about potential resignation.
Polymarket betting odds briefly increased for a presidential resignation after the Oval Office announcement was scheduled without initial details.
However, sources familiar with the matter told multiple outlets the announcement would focus on defence matters, potentially including Trump’s previously stated desire to rename the Department of Defence as the Department of War.
Our military should be focused on offense, not just defence,” White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly stated on Saturday about the potential name change.
The Department of War existed from 1789 until 1947, when President Truman reorganised it into the Department of Defence.
Similar health rumours circulated about Joe Biden in 2024 when he was absent from public view, with Republican commentators raising questions about his whereabouts online.
Trump’s last confirmed public appearance was at a cabinet meeting on 26 August, creating an unusually long gap in his typically packed schedule.
The White House has not responded to requests for comment about the Walter Reed claims or addressed the road closure allegations.
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