President Donald Trump made a surprise appearance at the Oval Office on Wednesday, 3 June, after a six-day absence from public view, sparking renewed health concerns. The president, who turns 80 on 14 June, had not been seen since a Cabinet meeting on 27 May.
During the appearance, Trump invited the press to watch him sign executive orders and took questions. Speaking about Washington D.C., he said: 'You walk down the streets and people feel safe here again. It’s a safe city.' He then added: 'You know, grass has a life also. Like people, grass has a life, and that grass hasn’t been changed in the last 70, 80 years.'
The comments quickly went viral on social media, with many interpreting them as a clue about his health. One user on X wrote: 'Talking about grass but unconsciously expressing his awareness of his own mortality after a recent strange trip to see the best doctors on earth. 70, 80 years.' Another noted: 'The way he says “70-80 years” like he remembers how old he is midway.'
This comes after Trump announced last Tuesday that his six-month medical assessment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center showed 'everything checked out PERFECTLY'. He boasted about scoring perfectly on a 'difficult cognitive test'. In a memorandum, his physician, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, stated the president 'remains in excellent health'.
However, some experts have raised concerns. Dr Jonathan Reiner, Professor of Medicine and Surgery and CNN Medical Analyst, questioned on X: 'Why did the president have another coronary artery CT? He was last scanned in October. Also, why was the president again given a MOCA dementia screening test? He’s had 3 in the recent past.'
Eagle-eyed viewers have also previously noted bruising on Trump's hand, which the health report attributed to 'minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking' and a 'benign effect of aspirin therapy'. The exam was his fourth publicly disclosed medical check since returning to office, though no law requires full disclosure of presidential health records.
