Bruce Davidson, a medical professor at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, has speculated that President Donald Trump might have had a stroke in 2025. Davidson based this assumption on Trump’s recent noticeable behavioral changes and physical symptoms. However, the White House has strenuously rejected these claims, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
On The Court of History podcast, hosted by Sidney Blumenthal and historian Sean Wilentz from Princeton University, Davidson explained his theory. He suggested that Trump might have suffered a stroke on the left side of his brain, which governs the right side of the body, estimating it could have occurred earlier in 2025. As evidence, he pointed to several detectable alterations in Trump’s physical behavior.
He cited videos of Trump shuffling his feet, contrasting with older clips showing him striding confidently across golf courses. Davidson also noted instances of Trump holding his right hand with his left and stumbling over words earlier in 2025, but he conceded that Trump’s speech appears to have improved recently.
In addition, Davidson highlighted what he considers to be episodes of excessive daytime sleepiness, a condition known as hypersomnolence, which is common in stroke victims. Trump has been observed appearing to nod off in public, including during White House events. Moreover, Davidson identified footage of Trump using his left hand to hold the railing while descending the steps of Air Force One, despite being right-handed, as consistent with suffering a stroke on the left side of the brain.
Although Davidson did not specify the kind of stroke he believes Trump may have experienced, he stated that if his assessment is correct, it appears that Trump has made a significant recovery. This follows months of public speculation about Trump’s health.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published January 1, 2026, Trump openly discussed his health issues. He revealed that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily—more than his doctors recommend—for heart disease prevention. Trump clarified that he underwent a CT scan, not an MRI, to rule out heart problems, contradicting earlier reports about advanced imaging done following his yearly physical exam in April 2025. President Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, stated that the scan showed no abnormalities.
Trump expressed regret for undergoing the advanced imaging as it only intensified speculation about his health. The medical evaluation took place on October 10, 2025, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, described as a “scheduled follow-up evaluation” as part of his ongoing health maintenance plan.
Public interest was aroused on September 11, 2025, when Trump appeared at the Pentagon for a ceremony commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Photos and videos from the event showed the right side of Trump’s face appearing to droop, leading to widespread social media speculation about a possible stroke. Facial drooping is a typical stroke symptom.
Davidson also suggested that Trump’s behavior during his second term might align with changes seen after a stroke. He explained that strokes can provoke a range of patient reactions, from gratitude to increased risk-taking behavior.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected Davidson’s assertions, stating that “President Trump’s relentless work ethic, unmatched energy, and historic accessibility stand in sharp contrast to what we saw during the past four years.” She maintained that Trump remains in excellent health and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attacks. Leavitt accused the media of promoting false narratives amidst declining public trust in journalism.
Health concerns surrounding aging political leaders have become a recurring theme in American politics. Biden was 82 years and two months old when he left office and faced consistent questions about his physical and mental fitness. If Trump completes his current term, he will be 82 years and seven months old, surpassing Biden’s record as the oldest president at the end of a term. Trump was 78 years and seven months old when he took office, making him the oldest president to assume office.
On July 17, 2025, during a White House press briefing announcing Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a statement from Dr. Barbabella explaining that the bruising was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and aspirin use, part of a standard heart disease prevention regimen.
Most recently, on January 22, 2026, Trump was photographed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with a prominent bruise on his left hand during a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump “hit his hand on the corner of the signing table, causing it to bruise,” noting the president remains susceptible to bruising due to his daily aspirin regimen.
Despite the White House’s denials and medical explanations, public scrutiny of Trump’s health persists. The lack of detailed medical records has added to ongoing speculation.
While Davidson’s claims are speculative without direct access to the president’s medical records, they add to a growing list of health-related concerns raised during Trump’s second term. The visible physical symptoms — from hand bruising to swollen ankles to apparent fatigue during public events — have been documented by multiple news outlets over several months.
Chronic venous insufficiency, a condition the White House confirmed Trump was diagnosed with in July 2025, occurs when veins in the legs fail to efficiently return blood to the heart. This can cause swelling, discomfort, and visible changes in the lower extremities. While generally not life-threatening, the condition is more common in older adults and can indicate broader heart issues if not managed properly.
Trump’s admission that he takes more aspirin than recommended also poses medical questions. While low-dose aspirin is commonly prescribed for heart disease prevention, taking excessive amounts can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, which could explain the visible marks on the president’s hands that have attracted attention.
As Trump approaches the midpoint of his second term, questions about his health continue. Whether Davidson’s stroke theory is valid or simply unfounded speculation, the ongoing debate highlights broader concerns about presidential health transparency and the physical demands placed on the nation’s oldest leaders.