Observers also referenced prior moments that raised eyebrows: visibly swollen ankles at the G7 in Évian-les-Bains; a July 2025 diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that can cause ankle swelling; and a mysterious "bulge" seen during a 60 Minutes interview in April that some described as a medical device. Discussion of the 25th Amendment has intermittently surfaced amid these concerns.
Trump and his team have pushed back on claims his health is deteriorating. He has asserted he is the healthiest president and said he achieved a perfect 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Political figures such as James Carville have speculated about a possible early departure and a pardon strategy, while Trump continues to signal future ambitions on social media.