Trump is caught using OLD golfing picture to prove he's alive amid cruel conspiracy theories
President Donald Trump has been accused of sharing an old golfing picture as 'proof of life' after conspiracy theorists spread a vile rumor he had died.
The 79-year-old finally swatted away whispers of ill-health during a press conference on Tuesday after a low-key weekend with no formal public appearances.
Trump dismissed speculation by saying he was 'very active this Labor Day.'
But one attempt to display his good health on Sunday included a Truth Social that himself pictured alongside former NFL coach Jon Gruden.
The image only sparked more theories when eagle-eyed critics raised questions about when the photo was actually taken.
'Great playing Golf with Jon Gruden — A really nice guy, and true character!' the president wrote in a caption accompanying the picture of Gruden in a Trump cap and purple polo.
Trump had been seen at a distance at his National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, on Saturday, but Gruden couldn't be placed there at the same time.
Fueling speculation further, social media sleuths dug up a photo of Gruden taken the week earlier on August 23 at the same golf course wearing the exact same outfit.
A Truth Social post of himself pictured alongside former NFL coach Jon Gruden sparked only added to the pile-on when eagle-eyed critics raised questions about when the photo was actually taken
Critics questioned whether it was likely he had returned to Virginia a week later wearing the same outfit for another round of golf.
Shortly after the old picture of Gruden went viral, footage taken by AP of Trump on the same day emerged in which he was wearing the same outfit as the one in the photo he claimed was from this weekend.
Those two factors only fueled speculation that something was amiss online.
'Why is the WH and Trump sharing posts of him golfing with Gruden that happened 10 days ago?' one scrutineer asked.
'While he might still be alive the fact of the matter is there would be no conspiracy theory if the White House wasn't caught posting fake photos of Trump... and Gruden that happened last week,' another wrote.
'I’m not a conspiracy theory guy, but if you’re fighting off increasing rumors that you may have suffered a major medical episode and to disprove that rumor and provide proof of life, you post a picture of allegedly playing golf with Jon Gruden today, it would be beneficial to post one that wasn’t from August 23rd,' a third added.
Trump never specified when the photo was taken in his post.
On Tuesday, he held a press conference finally laying the rumors to rest, admitting that while he himself did not read about the theories on social media, his staff had briefed him about them.
The 79-year-old on Tuesday finally swatted away whispers of ill-health after he enjoyed a low-key weekend with no formal press appearances
Critics questioned whether it was likely he had returned to Virginia a week later wearing the same outfit for another round of golf
Social media sleuths dug up a photo of Gruden taken the week earlier on August 23 at the same golf course wearing the exact same outfit
'I have heard, it's sort of crazy... It's so fake ... I was very active this Labor Day,' he said.
Trump joked that the media was not holding him to the same standard as former President Joe Biden.
'I didn't do any [public events] for two days, and they said there must be something wrong with him. Biden would not do them for months, you wouldn't see him, and nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him, and we know he wasn't in the greatest of shape,' Trump said.
Trump was spotted with what appeared to be bruising on his hand, but his physician has reassured the public that it is nothing of concern.
Instead, he said that was a result of 'irritation from frequent handshaking and use of aspirin 'as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention' treatment.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed in July that the president was suffering from 'chronic venous insufficiency,' that was causing 'mild swelling' in his lower legs.
The president's physician revealed in an memo that his condition was 'a benign and common condition' in elderly people but that there was no evidence of any serious arterial disease.
