Fresh concerns about the health of Donald Trump have emerged after he was notably absent during a recent CNN interview. Viewers were taken aback when Trump, the 79-year-old US President, chose to provide his responses via text message prior to the interview with Jake Tapper, the host of State of the Union.
Rather than appearing on screen, graphics displayed Trump’s messages as he discussed his aspirations for peace in the Gaza-Israel conflict and made a strong statement about the potential “complete obliteration” of Hamas if they did not release hostages. Tapper’s inquiry about the ongoing government shutdown elicited a response from Trump indicating confidence in the current situation, stating, “Good, we are winning, and cutting costs, big time!” The network did not reveal how they confirmed Trump as the sender of the texts.
The unusual interview format sparked confusion among viewers, with some speculating about Trump’s well-being and calling for a wellness check. Concerns were raised on Twitter, with comments questioning the validity of the text responses and expressing disbelief at the method of communication. Criticism came from American politician Daniel Goldman, who questioned the unprecedented nature of a text message interview and raised concerns about Trump’s knowledge of critical issues.
While Trump passed a recent medical examination and was deemed fit for duty both physically and mentally, reports suggest he has been dealing with chronic venous insufficiency, visible swelling in his ankles, bruising on his hand, and a drooping mouth in recent sightings.