President Donald Trump isn’t hiding from the chatter about his health—or his legs. In fact, the 79-year-old leader leaned right into it this week, putting his swollen ankles on full display during a high-profile Oval Office meeting with Poland’s new president, Karol Nawrocki.
On Wednesday, the two leaders sat down in front of the iconic fireplace, and the contrast couldn’t have been more noticeable. Trump’s noticeably puffy ankles bulged slightly over his shoes, a stark difference from his Polish counterpart’s slimmer frame.
The close-up shot circulating online is fueling even more speculation, with critics zeroing in on the tight look of Trump’s shoes. Some observers claim the image highlights the swelling that’s been the subject of countless social media rumors in recent months—including absurd claims that Trump is in “terrible health” or even “dead.”
It’s a sharp departure from some of his recent appearances, where carefully chosen camera angles and the Resolute Desk helped hide the lower half of his body. This time, the White House allowed the world to see the president as he is—bruised hands, swollen legs, and all.
Interestingly, Trump’s hands looked noticeably less bruised than in previous photos, a sign that the White House may have ditched the heavy makeup that drew even more attention during last month’s photo ops.
Still, the effort to control the optics hasn’t gone away entirely. Shortly after the meeting, the White House posted several official videos on X (formerly Twitter)—all shot from the waist up.
This isn’t the first time Trump’s aides have worked to downplay the so-called “cankle controversy.” During a recent sit-down with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, official photos cropped the leaders’ ankles out of the frame or strategically positioned Trump behind furniture like the Oval Office coffee table.
Trump’s four-day absence from public view last week didn’t help tamp down the rumors. Some even speculated he might resign or was hospitalized. That rumors spiraled so wildly that Trump himself fired back on Truth Social over the weekend, blasting the talk as “fake news” and insisting: “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE.”
President Donald Trump with his swollen ankles visible during meeting with Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki, Photo Credit: According to the White House, the bruising on Trump’s hands comes from frequent handshakes and is worsened by his daily aspirin regimen—a common measure for heart health. As for the leg swelling, officials revealed in July that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that makes it harder for blood to flow from the legs back to the heart.
Trump remains the oldest U.S. president in history and will be 83 by the end of his second term in 2029—but if his 42-post Truth Social spree last weekend is any indication, he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
Sources: Daily Beast
