Experts Break Down Trump’s ‘Stroke’ and the President’s Other Rumored Health Issues

After months of speculation that Trump’s health is steadily declining, these doctors are giving their expert opinions on the matter.

At 79 years old, President Donald Trump is one of the oldest presidents in American history. And although age brings wisdom, it also brings health concerns that folks just can’t help but talk about it. In fact, since Trump was sworn back into office, people have noticed his droopy face and swollen ankles, although the president promises he’s in “perfect health.”

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Given all of the rumors and speculation, doctors online are clearing everything up. So now, The Root is breaking down all of the misinformation, disinformation and exposing the truth about the leader of the free world’s health.

Trump Diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 22: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to the media wearing a hat that reads, “Trump Was Right About Everything!,” during a visit to The People’s House: A White House Experience August 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump spoke on a variety of issues including stating he did not know of the FBI raid currently happening on former national security adviser John Bolton’s home, and saying he learned of it by seeing the news on television. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Trump once declared he was in “perfect health,” but after photos began circling the internet of his legs, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on July 17 that Trump was diagnosed with a “benign and common” vein condition known as chronic venous insufficiency. As we previously reported, Trump’s swollen ankles are indicative of him being at stage three of the condition. A cardiologist named Dr. Siya said on TikTok, “Chronic venous insufficiency is a benign condition. Please stop diagnosing people on the internet.”

Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Chronic Venous Insufficiency

@cnn

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta analyzes the news that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following leg swelling.

♬ original sound – CNN

CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta called Trump’s condition a “fairly common problem.” He explained, however, that this problem appears to be separate from the bruising on his hands. “Again, common problem, non life-threatening” but warned it has the potential to turn into bigger issues if not treated properly.

Harvard Doctor on Chronic Venous Insufficiency

ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – AUGUST 15: U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a statement during a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on August 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The two leaders are meeting for peace talks aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Harvard Medical School’s Dr. Jeremy Faust told CNN news of Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency is “basically not alarming… and not surprising.” Faust continued saying this is a common condition with aging, and folks should not be worried.

Did Trump Have a Stroke?

After making an appearance at the 9/11 Memorial Tuesday (Sept. 11), President Trump was captured with one side of his mouth drooping seemingly unnaturally. Now, folks online are convinced that Trump had a stroke. Scroll to see exactly what doctors think of this…

Doctor on Whether Trump Had a Stroke

@drzackmd

How I know President Trump had a stroke and the White House is lying about it… just kidding, we probably shouldn’t be diagnosing people over the internet from a 10 second clip. #MedTok #DoctorHumor #Sarcasm #HealthcareTruth #AnesthesiaTok @Epistemic @Kelly Killeen, MD, FACS

♬ original sound – Dr Zack MD

Dr. Zack on TikTok said without proper examination, we “probably shouldn’t be diagnosing people over the internet from a 10 second clip.” He admitted it’s unclear if Trump ever suffered a stroke, and the public probably won’t know until the White House announces it.

Medical Expert on if Trump Has Heart Failure

@drmichaelsays

Everyone’s suddenly a medical expert because they saw a photo of Trump’s ankles… If only diagnosing heart failure were that simple. #Trump #SwollenAnkles #DoctorTok #MedicalTikTok #HeartHealth

♬ Timeless – Franksille

After rumors that the president has congestive heart failure, a ventricular assist device and more, Doctor Michael on TikTok said there’s no way to tell if Trump has been diagnosed with heart failure. “There are so many different causes of having swollen ankles,” he said. “I would have to examine someone head to toe and do probably some other tests” in order to properly diagnose the condition.

Viral TikTok Gives Trump 7 Months to Live

@szsl27

Doctors believe that Trump’s leg swelling is only 7 months to live #maga #trump #politics #debate #chf

♬ original sound – szsl27

Back in August, a health care professional gave the president seven months to live. He said the president has congestive heart failure and that he’s hiding the truth. His video went viral and sparked national outrage. But other doctors online gave their own thoughts on the matter…

Real Doctors on Trump Having 7 Months to Live

“There are so many problems with this TikTok video,” Eric Strong, a hospitalist and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, explained of the viral video. He went on to say the man in video is not a medical doctor. Instead, he’s a physical therapist. “The things asserted in this guy’s video are excessively speculative and some of them are just not true.” Instead, he said there’s no way for any online doctor to really diagnose president just from clips online.

Trump’s Biggest Health Risks

According to Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, a former White House doctor, Trump’s biggest health issues stem from his overall unhealthy lifestyle. “He’s old. He’s 79 years old,” the doctor said. “He’s had a lifetime of overweight obesity in the past decade or two and then also sedentary lifestyle.” The doctor went on to explain that at Trump’s age, physical exercise is important and he probably doesn’t get enough.

The Issue of Trump’s Bruised Hands

WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 25: A bruise is visible on the back of U.S. President Donald Trump’s right hand during a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the bruising in February and she responded, “President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day.” (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Folks began noticing bruising on Trump’s hands back in August. Sean Barbabella, the White House physician, said in a July memo that photos showing Trump’s bruised hand were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” and his use of Aspirin as a routine cardiovascular prevention treatment. But, according to medical professionals online, there’s more to the story.

Nurse on Trump Using Aspirin for Treatment

Suzy Lea, who has 12 years of experience as a nurse, said on TikTok “doctors no longer recommend aspirin as a preventative measure unless you already have pre existing conditions.” She continued, “It’s unlikely that’s the reason he’s on aspirin if thats all he’s on.”

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

Favorite Books By Black Authors in 2025

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re looking at our favorite books by Black authors of the year …
Black Things to Do in New York City This Holiday

Black Things to Do in New York City This Holiday

We have the tea on how to celebrate the holiday season in NYC with black-owned businesses and cultural events across the five boroughs …
Everything We Know About The Sherrone Moore Scandal

Everything We Know About The Sherrone Moore Scandal

The University of Michigan fired Moore for having an “inappropriate relationship with a staff member.” …
Jasmine Crockett on Why She Wants To Work with 'Frenemy' Marjorie Taylor Greene

Jasmine Crockett on Why She Wants To Work with ‘Frenemy’ Marjorie Taylor Greene

EXCLUSIVE: Over a year has passed since Rep. Jasmine Crockett flamed Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, and she spoke to The Root about the current state of their relationship …
D'Angelo and Angie Stone's Son Details Parents' Surprising Health Struggles

D’Angelo and Angie Stone’s Son Details Parents’ Surprising Health Struggles

Both D’Angelo and Angie Stone passed away within months of each other, and now their only son is shedding new light on their final days …
Photo: Getty Images Arturo Holmes

No Justice, No Peace: All the Times Attorney Benjamin Crump Fought for Civil Rights

Benjamin Crump’s latest fight was for a Florida security guard, who was murdered in 2023 …
Inside Sherrone Moore's 'For Cause' Firing— And How It Could Cost Him BIG

Inside Sherrone Moore’s ‘For Cause’ Firing— And How It Could Cost Him BIG

Sherrone Moore’s worries don’t stop at his felony charges. His “for cause” firing means Michigan is off the hook for paying him this eye-watering amount …
Porsha Williams Confirms She’s Dating a Woman, and Black Internet Has a Unified Reaction

Porsha Williams Confirms She’s Dating a Woman, and Black Internet Has a Unified Reaction

After hard-launching her new boo, RHOA’s Porsha Williams reveals why she’s done hiding her love life, but social media wasted no time pulling old clips proving fans clocked her tea years ago …
What Blueface's Tweet About Having Sex With His Mother Actually Says <i>About</i> Black Mothers...

What Blueface’s Tweet About Having Sex With His Mother Actually Says About Black Mothers…

OPINION: Blueface’s tweet about his mother sleeping with him is inelegant, but that doesn’t mean he’s wrong …
Kim Kardashian’s Sons Steal the Show at Her Law School Graduation Party

Kim Kardashian’s Sons Steal the Show at Her Law School Graduation Party

Kim Kardashian has been on a long journey to up her law skills and knowledge, but her sons wouldn’t let her be great! Let’s talk about it …
Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Participants Are Also Terrible Humans

Why the Netflix Diddy Doc Participants Are Also Terrible Humans

OPINION: Many of the participants in Netflix’s “Sean Combs: The Reckoning” were positioned to take Diddy down long ago…so why didn’t they? …
Shannon Sharpe Breaks His Silence on the Messy Sherrone Moore Scandal

Shannon Sharpe Breaks His Silence on the Messy Sherrone Moore Scandal

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe weighed in on the scandal surrounding former Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore …
$70M Investment Set to Transform Portland’s Historic Black Albina Neighborhood

$70M Investment Set to Transform Portland’s Historic Black Albina Neighborhood

The 1803 Fund unveils a $70 million plan to create jobs and repair decades of displacement in North Portland’s historically Black neighborhood …
Blue Ivy's Latest Courtside Grownup Look Has The Internet Gagged

Blue Ivy’s Latest Courtside Grownup Look Has The Internet Gagged

Folks online can’t get over Blue Ivy’s latest fashion moment …
These Are the Best Black Movies of 2025

These Are the Best Black Movies of 2025

While Sinners clearly emerged as the front-runner of Black films this year, there were others that are also worthy of being celebrated. Let’s take a look! …
Trump's New 'Gold Card' Lets Immigrants Skip the Line, But There's a <i>Huge</i> Catch

Trump’s New ‘Gold Card’ Lets Immigrants Skip the Line, But There’s a Huge Catch

After months of teasing Trump’s $1 million immigration Gold Card, here’s everything you should know about the Green Card competitor …
These 7 Black Female Senate Candidates Could Rewrite History in 2026

These 7 Black Female Senate Candidates Could Rewrite History in 2026

From Texas to South Carolina, a new wave of Black women candidates is stepping into the U.S. Senate race, potentially making history in the 2026 election cycle …
Which is the Better Blackity-Black Christmas Jam: Boyz II Men's 'Let It Snow' or Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You?'

Which is the Better Blackity-Black Christmas Jam: Boyz II Men’s ‘Let It Snow’ or Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You?’

When it comes to hella Black Christmas songs, does Boyz II Men have an edge over Mariah Carey? Let’s get into it! …
These 13 Republicans Just Turned Their Back on Trump -- Why It's Crucial for 2026

These 13 Republicans Just Turned Their Back on Trump — Why It’s Crucial for 2026

Thirteen Republicans just sided with Democrats in a historic move to undermine Trump… but what does that really mean for the future of Congress? …
Photo: Getty Images Andrew Harnik

Uh…Everyone’s Saying the Same Thing About Hakeem Jeffries’ Reaction to Jasmine Crockett’s Senate Run

Jeffries reaction to Crockett’s Senate announcement left people filling in the blanks …