Summary:
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Former President Donald Trump’s absence over Labor Day weekend sparked a death hoax, with conspiracy theories and trending hashtags spreading online.
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Rumors were fueled by a visible bruise on Trump’s hand, leading to accusations of a cover-up by the White House.
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Despite pushback from the White House, online speculation about Trump’s health continues as he prepares for upcoming campaign events.
Over Labor Day weekend, former President Donald Trump’s absence from the public eye sparked a wave of online speculation that escalated into a full-blown death hoax, amplified by conspiracy theories and viral posts across social media.
The rumors began circulating late Sunday as Trump remained out of public view following a campaign event in Pennsylvania last week. When no photos or official statements emerged during the holiday, hashtags like “#TrumpDead” and “IsTrumpDead” started trending on X (formerly Twitter), fueled by speculation about his health.
Trump addresses the rumors of the death hoax going viral. pic.twitter.com/yvDKZpePpU
— Dead End King (@deadend_king) September 2, 2025
According to The New York Times, the theories were sparked in part by a visible bruise on Trump’s right hand, which appeared in photographs taken days earlier. Some users suggested it was evidence of a medical emergency, while others accused the White House and campaign of covering up a more serious condition.
The White House pushed back on the rumors Tuesday morning. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump was “healthy and working,” dismissing the claims as “internet lies.” Axios reported that aides privately expressed frustration that silence over the long weekend gave conspiracy theories space to flourish.
On TikTok and Instagram, users stitched together clips of Trump’s past health scares, including his COVID-19 hospitalization in 2020, drawing millions of views. The BBC noted that video montages labeling him “missing” or “already gone” were widely shared before fact-checkers stepped in.
The speculation comes as Trump ramps up his 2025 campaign schedule, facing ongoing legal battles and scrutiny over his fitness to serve. While his team insists he is in “excellent health,” the incident underscores how quickly online misinformation can spread in a vacuum of official communication.
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For now, Trump is expected to appear at a rally in Michigan later this week.
