President Donald Trump gave the press some rare praise Friday night, but he clarified that recent speculation that he was in poor health or even dead was completely false.
Trump hosted a dinner for congressional leaders in a renovated Rose Garden, maintaining a largely amicable tone throughout the evening. He admitted that the press had been “very good lately, except for one rumor that they spread.”
“I held approximately eight press conferences daily. Then I missed one because I was in the Oval Office, and I also went out to the club because I had meetings there, and they saw me, and the rumor began, this horrible rumor that Trump is no longer with us,” he explained.
“They said…” I arrived at the club and asked, “Sir, are you okay?” Are you okay? The fake news was at it again, but because I missed one day of press conferences, I gave them a three-hour press conference today about changing the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War because we won World War I, World War II, everything in between, and everything before it,” Trump said.
His train of thought began with his praise for Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX), whom he described as a “unbelievable doctor.” He told a story about Jackson being asked whether former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, or Donald Trump were healthier.
“He said, ‘There’s no contest by far. The healthiest person is President Donald J. Trump. I said, “I love that guy.” I’m sure Bush and Obama don’t agree, but who cares? Trump said.
The president sparked wild speculation last week when he declined to hold a press conference for several days. Some social media users speculated that he had died. At a press conference on Tuesday, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy brought up the death hoax, which surprised Trump.
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, announced Trump’s diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a common blood vessel condition that is rarely fatal. Subsequent photos of Trump’s hand with makeup covering up bruises sparked conspiracy theories that he was attempting to conceal a terminal condition.
Trump has frequently boasted about his good health since taking office, contrasting himself with Biden.
