Donald Trump Reacts to Viral Death Rumors on Live TV: ‘That’s Pretty Serious Stuff’

President Donald Trump has given his first in-person response to viral rumors questioning his health.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 2, Trump, 79, was asked by a reporter if he knew that many social media users believed he had died the week before.

“No,” he answered. “Really? I didn’t see that.”

Trump said he was aware that some people were speculating about his health because he sees “reports,” but claimed he had not heard about the conspiracy theory that he had died.

“That’s pretty serious stuff,” he added. “I knew they were saying, like, ‘Is he okay? How’s he feeling?’ … I had heard that, but I didn’t hear that to that extent.”

He then blamed the rumor on “fake news” and accused the media of fueling it, even though the claim began on social media and was never reported as fact by major outlets.

Rumors about Trump’s health spread quickly over Labor Day weekend after he was seen with a large bruise on his hand. On Friday, Aug. 29, hashtags like “Trump Is Dead” and “Where Is Trump?” trended on X.

Online users pointed to Trump’s cleared schedule over the weekend and a recent interview Vice President JD Vance gave to USA Today, where he spoke about being ready to step in if necessary.

“Yes, terrible tragedies happen. But I feel very confident the president of the United States is in good shape, is going to serve out the remainder of his term and do great things for the American people,” Vance, 41, told the outlet.

“And if, God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy, I can’t think of better on-the-job training than what I’ve gotten over the last 200 days,” he added.

Trump’s absence from the public eye for several days helped fuel the rumors, but he was spotted again on Saturday, Aug. 30, leaving the White House for the Trump National Golf Club in Virginia. The White House press pool documented the trip.

He returned to the golf course on Monday, where reporters noted he stayed for about five and a half hours before going back to the White House.

Despite his public appearances, speculation about Trump’s health has continued, with some insisting he may have had a medical episode during his time away.

Trump’s son Eric, 41, criticized the rumors online, reposting a message quoting his father as saying, “I’ve never felt better in my life,” and adding, “The radical left is so sick and twisted…”

Concerns about Trump’s health have surfaced several times this year, mainly because of a recurring bruise on his hand that was sometimes covered with makeup.

When the bruise was first noticed months ago, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt explained it came from Trump “shaking hands all day, every day.”

In July, White House physician Sean Barbarella wrote that the bruising was “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”

That same month, Trump was also diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after his ankles appeared swollen. Barbarella noted the condition is “benign and common, particularly in individuals over the age of 70,” and emphasized that Trump “remains in excellent health.”