The image comes as the 79-year-old has attracted increasing concern regarding his physical appearance and cognitive abilities over the last few weeks
04:51 ET, 24 Aug 2025Updated 04:51 ET, 24 Aug 2025
It wasn’t a good look for the President(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump’s health is back under the microscope after a photo of the 79-year-old president’s swollen ankles, dubbed “cankles” was shared online, prompting speculation about possible heart failure.
The image, circulated on social media this week, drew alarm when one X user declared: “This is clear signs of HEART Failure!” Persistent swelling in the lower legs, known as edema, is often linked to fluid buildup in the body , a common symptom of heart failure, where the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
While swelling can also be caused by less serious conditions such as poor circulation or standing for long periods, doctors often flag it as a warning sign when combined with other cardiovascular risk factors.
The image added yet more fuel to long-standing concerns about Trump’s physical condition, particularly following last week’s other reports of swelling, bruising, and heavy use of makeup to cover blemishes.
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On Friday, Trump was also spotted leaving the White House with a conspicuous layer of foundation on his right hand, an apparent attempt to disguise discoloration. It follows repeated sightings of the president using cosmetics to conceal bruising, with White House officials attributing the marks to Trump’s relentless schedule of handshakes.
“President Trump is a man of the people and meets more Americans, shaking hands daily, than any other president in history,” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisted in a statement. “His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.”
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The White House has previously disclosed that Trump suffers from chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulatory condition common in older adults that can cause swelling in the legs and ankles.
However, officials have not addressed whether the latest photos indicate a worsening of the condition or a new cardiovascular issue, nor have they made Trump’s physician available to answer questions despite earlier promises of transparency.
While the administration has dismissed concerns as overblown, the mix of unexplained bruising, ankle inflammation, and online speculation has intensified scrutiny of Trump’s overall health. Some commentators have also pointed to potential use of compression socks, though no treatment plan has been detailed publicly.
Beyond the physical signs, questions about Trump’s cognitive fitness persist. He has drawn attention for apparent lapses in memory and language, including forgetting the name of the Atlantic Ocean in a recent Fox & Friends interview and instead calling it “a big, beautiful ocean”.
Images of Trump’s hands also sparked concern(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He also mis-stated the location of his high profile meeting with Vladimir Putin, referring to Alaska as Russia.
Dr. John Gartner, a former assistant professor of psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University and co-founder of Duty to Warn, has argued Trump shows “classic signs of dementia,” pointing to a stark decline from his sharpness in the 1980s. “He was extremely articulate… now he really has trouble completing a thought, and that is a huge deterioration,” Gartner has said.
For now, the White House continues to project confidence in the president’s stamina while critics and medical observers press for greater transparency.
But with new images fueling speculation online, Trump’s health remains a subject of debate as he presses ahead with public appearances and political engagements.
Trump has a long history of mocking former rival Joe Biden’s age and mental acuity. Throughout the 2020 and 2024 campaigns, Trump frequently labeled Biden “Sleepy Joe” and questioned his ability to string together coherent thoughts, casting his Democratic opponent as too frail and forgetful to lead.
The sharp reversal, with Trump himself now the subject of viral posts dissecting his physical and cognitive state, has not gone unnoticed by critics.
Adding to the scrutiny is the historic reality that Trump is now the oldest president ever to serve two terms in office.
At 79, he has surpassed Ronald Reagan’s age upon leaving the White House, raising fresh questions about whether the demands of the presidency are sustainable for someone nearing 80.