As of his latest annual physical on April 11, 2025, President Donald Trump’s physician, Sean P. Barbabella, provided a positive assessment of the septuagenarian leader’s health, describing it as “excellent.” The report emphasized his active lifestyle — including regular golf and a busy public schedule — as key factors in his well-being. Trump’s weight was noted at 224 pounds, a decrease from 244 in 2020 — confirming suspicions about his weight — with blood pressure recorded at 128/74. A comprehensive neurological exam revealed no cognitive issues, and Trump himself claimed he received “the highest mark” on cognitive testing. The memo also mentioned previous scarring from the 2024 assassination attempt and identified diverticulosis and a benign colon polyp found during a colonoscopy (via The White House).
Nonetheless, recent news reports suggest that all may not be as it appears regarding the President’s health. Some claim to have observed signs that he might be using a catheter with a leg bag (per Mirror). Additionally, reports from March 2025 noted he had a bruised hand and was dragging his right leg (per Business Standard). While there is no confirmation of any health conditions explaining these signs, they have raised concerns about a possible decline in Trump’s health.
Unpacking the rumors about Trump’s health
Speculation online suggests that certain suspicious lumps and bumps in his lower legs and crotch area could point to the use of a leg bag and catheter, while others believe the President might be wearing leg braces. According to the Independent, the day after he stumbled while climbing the steps to Air Force One, zoomed-in photos during a Rose Garden appearance revealed markings on his pant legs that some interpreted as signs of braces, potentially due to unsteadiness on his feet.
A video from March showing the President golfing appears to support the braces theory. As reported by Business Standard, social media users described the President as “wobbly” and dragging his right leg “like a piece of wood.”
Further evidence suggesting Trump might be experiencing balance issues includes a widely reported large bruise on the back of his right hand in February 2025. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the bruise was due to frequent handshaking (per NBC News).
What Trump’s symptoms could indicate
Without confirmation from President Trump or his staff, it’s challenging to determine if his health is deteriorating or if there are undisclosed health conditions. However, the Mayo Clinic notes that foot drop, which causes foot dragging, is often due to injury or compression of the peroneal nerve, frequently resulting from knee trauma or complications from hip or knee surgery. It can also arise from a pinched nerve in the spine or diabetes-related nerve damage. Muscle or nerve disorders like muscular dystrophy, polio, or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease might also contribute. Furthermore, brain and spinal cord conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, or ALS (known for the viral “Ice Bucket Challenge”) can lead to foot drop, typically treated with braces.
Doctors may recommend a catheter for various medical reasons, including difficulty emptying the bladder (urinary retention), loss of bladder control (incontinence), recovery from prostate or genital surgery, or health issues affecting normal urination, such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, or dementia.
Older adults commonly experience large purplish-red bruises (actinic purpura) on the backs of the hands and forearms, particularly if they have sun-damaged skin. These harmless lesions can appear after minor bumps (or no trauma) and may take up to three weeks to fade, sometimes leaving discoloration behind.
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