A medical professor has suggested that President Donald Trump may have suffered a stroke in 2025, citing visible symptoms and behavioral changes. The White House firmly rejects the claim, calling it unfounded and politically motivated.
Professor Bruce Davidson of Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine discussed this theory on the podcast The Court of History, hosted by Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz. He speculated that the stroke may have occurred in Trump’s left brain hemisphere about six months earlier.
“I think his stroke was on the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body,” Davidson told the hosts, noting that several physical changes in Trump’s appearance support his assumption.
Davidson cited video clips showing Trump dragging his feet unusually compared to earlier footage of him walking confidently on golf courses. He also mentioned moments in early 2025 when Trump appeared to cradle his right hand with his left and seemed to slur some words, though he acknowledged that Trump’s speech has since seemed to improve.
The professor additionally referenced what he believes to be excessive daytime sleepiness—hypersomnolence—which can be common among stroke survivors. Trump has been seen appearing to doze off during public events, including official ceremonies. Davidson also pointed to video of Trump coming down the steps of Air Force One while clutching the railing with his left hand, despite being right-handed, as another possible clue of a stroke on the brain’s left side.
While Davidson did not specify which type of stroke he believes may have occurred, he stated that if his interpretation is correct, Trump seems to have made a substantial recovery.
These comments come after months of speculation regarding Trump’s health. The president has often been seen with pronounced hand bruising, which he has attempted to conceal with makeup. In July 2025, the White House confirmed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that leads to swelling in the lower legs. To manage symptoms, Trump wears compression socks and has admitted to taking more aspirin than his doctors advise.
Speaking to The Wall Street Journal in January 2026, Trump discussed various health matters, including his aspirin regimen for heart health. He also clarified earlier reports about advanced imaging ordered after his annual physical, explaining that he had a CT scan—not an MRI—to rule out cardiovascular problems. Dr. Sean Barbabella confirmed the scan showed no issues.
Trump acknowledged regretting the additional imaging, saying it triggered more speculation. The testing occurred in October 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with an October 10 note confirming follow-up care but providing few specifics.
Another moment that prompted public attention happened on September 11, 2025, when Trump appeared at an event with one side of his face looking droopy. Social media users speculated about a stroke, but no diagnosis was confirmed. Facial drooping can occur when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, affecting muscles on one side.
Davidson further suggested that Trump’s behavior during his second term could fit patterns sometimes seen after a stroke. He noted that strokes are serious events and can prompt a range of emotional and behavioral shifts.
“Some people respond with humility and gratitude. Others become euphoric—’I was at the cliff of death, and now I’m back,'” Davidson said. “And some think, ‘That was my chance to die, and I didn’t—so now I’m going to do everything I wanted to do because the next one may be fatal.'”
The White House forcefully rejected Davidson’s claims. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted that Trump remains in excellent condition and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. She referred to these speculations as “absolute nonsense” and described Davidson as a left-leaning extremist.
Leavitt also emphasized Trump’s strong work ethic and availability to the public, contrasting it with the scrutiny over former President Joe Biden’s health. She criticized the media for pushing misleading narratives during a time of declining trust in journalism.
The health of older political leaders has long been a subject of debate. Biden was 82 years and seven months old when he left office, facing ongoing questions about his mental and physical fitness. If Trump completes this term, he will reach the same age, making him the oldest president in U.S. history.
Trump’s hand bruising first drew significant attention in February 2025, when discoloration on his right hand was noticeable beneath makeup during an Oval Office meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. At the time, Leavitt attributed the marks to Trump’s frequent handshaking and aspirin use, calling him a man of the people who interacts with more Americans than any previous president.
Months later, as questions continued, Barbabella explained at a July briefing that the bruising matched mild soft tissue irritation from repeated handshakes, combined with aspirin use as part of a routine cardiovascular prevention plan.
Despite the White House’s statements and medical explanations, public interest in Trump’s health persists. The lack of detailed medical records and inconsistencies in Trump’s comments about his imaging procedures have fueled ongoing doubts. The confusion between initial reports of an MRI and Trump’s later claim that it was a CT scan further intensified questions about transparency.
Davidson’s comments—based solely on observation rather than access to medical records—add to the broader discussion about Trump’s health in his second term. Physical signs such as hand bruising, ankle swelling, and apparent tiredness during public events have been widely reported for months.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins cannot properly return blood to the heart, causing swelling, discomfort, and visible skin changes. While usually not dangerous, it is more common in older adults and can signal broader cardiovascular concerns if untreated.
Trump’s acknowledgment that he exceeds the recommended aspirin dosage raises additional health considerations. While low-dose aspirin is widely used for heart protection, too much can increase the likelihood of bleeding and bruising—possibly explaining the marks on his hands that have drawn attention.
The latest health-related incident took place on March 2, 2026, when photographers captured a bold red rash extending from behind Trump’s right ear down his neck during a Medal of Honor ceremony. Photo reviews show the irritation first appearing around February 13, becoming noticeable by February 18 at a Black History Month event, and intensifying through the State of the Union on February 24 and a Texas rally on February 27. Dr. Barbabella attributed the rash to a prescribed topical cream used as a “preventative skin treatment,” noting that the redness was expected to last several weeks. Some medical professionals questioned the White House’s limited explanation, pointing out that Barbabella did not identify the condition being treated.
Commentators have speculated that the rash might be a reaction to a medication used for skin cancer prevention, such as Fluorouracil (5-FU).
As Trump nears his 80th birthday in June, each new visible change continues to spark debate—one the White House has yet to fully address with comprehensive disclosure.
