Ever since Donald Trump stepped into the political spotlight, his health has been the subject of intense public scrutiny. From late-night talk shows to presidential debates, speculations about Trump’s physical and cognitive fitness have repeatedly surfaced—sometimes driven by his critics, and at other times by Trump himself, as he questioned the well-being of his opponents.
Now, during his unprecedented return to the White House for a second term, the focus has once again turned to Trump’s health—this time triggered by a viral image and social media speculation that the former president may be wearing a catheter.
Here’s the full story behind the image, the context surrounding the claims, what Trump’s latest health report reveals, and what medical experts say about the speculation.
A President Under the Microscope—Again
Donald Trump is the oldest U.S. president to begin a second term, a fact that alone puts him under closer medical scrutiny than most of his predecessors. Throughout his political career, he has frequently criticized his rivals, including Joe Biden, by raising concerns about their age and health.
But now, it’s Trump’s own physical condition that has become a topic of intense debate.
Earlier this year, during his reelection campaign against Kamala Harris, Trump declined to publicly share his full medical records, while Harris released hers. However, a brief health summary issued by White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella claimed Trump was in “excellent cognitive and physical condition.”
Trump’s 2024 Medical Evaluation: What We Know
According to Dr. Barbabella’s April report, Donald Trump:
- Is 75 inches tall (6’3”) and weighs 224 pounds
- Underwent a colonoscopy in 2024, which revealed a benign polyp and diverticulitis, a condition involving inflammation in the colon
- Was prescribed medication for cholesterol, cardiac prevention, and a topical cream for a skin condition
- Previously had bilateral cataract surgery
- Was described as having “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function”
- Was also credited for maintaining an “active lifestyle,” which Dr. Barbabella said supported his overall health
“The President exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of Commander-in-Chief,” Barbabella concluded.
Trump himself added during a press briefing, “I took a cognitive test. I got every answer right. They gave me all sorts of tests—heart, brain, everything.”
Despite these declarations, some observers have questioned the transparency and credibility of the White House’s medical reporting, especially given past inconsistencies in Trump’s weight, height, and medication disclosures.
The Viral UFC Image and Social Media Speculation
On June 9, Trump attended a UFC event, where he was photographed celebrating with Kayla Harrison, the newly crowned UFC women’s bantamweight champion. In one image, Harrison is seen placing the championship belt around Trump’s waist.
What should have been a routine PR moment quickly spiraled into a viral firestorm online.
Social media users began circulating zoomed-in versions of the photo, claiming to see a bulge or line along Trump’s pant leg, which they speculated could be tubing from a Foley catheter—a medical device used to drain urine from the bladder into a collection bag strapped to the leg.
One viral post read:
“Trump appears to be wearing leg braces and possibly a catheter. The weakness on his right side has been noticeable for years. The bruising on his right hand could be from infusion therapy—common in Parkinson’s-type diseases.”
Another post, more direct and mocking in tone, claimed:
“That line down his pants? Not a crease. It’s a catheter tube. Every step he takes sounds like the sloshing of a warm Capri Sun.”
Thousands of shares, likes, and comments followed. But not everyone was convinced.
Others Say: “It’s Just a Crease”
As the rumors escalated, a growing number of commenters pushed back, arguing that what some were calling a catheter was simply a natural crease in Trump’s pants.
One widely shared rebuttal read:
“No, that’s not a catheter. That’s a close-fitting pant leg with a standard crease. Foley catheters aren’t used casually unless post-surgery. Mobile patients usually self-cath or wear pads if needed.”
Medical professionals on forums and health-related threads echoed this, noting that catheter tubing would not typically form such a visible, straight line—especially under tailored dress pants. Moreover, a Foley catheter is usually only used in specific medical situations, such as surgery recovery or severe urinary issues—not during public appearances.
What Is a Foley Catheter?
To clarify, a Foley catheter is a flexible tube inserted into the bladder to help drain urine. As defined by the Cleveland Clinic, it is used when a person has difficulty urinating on their own, whether due to injury, surgery, or a chronic condition.
These catheters can be:
- Short-term, for use during hospital stays or procedures
- Long-term, in cases involving chronic health issues
The catheter is usually connected to a drainage bag that can be strapped to the leg and concealed under clothing. But its visibility varies, and careful placement is typically done to avoid detection in public settings.
The White House Responds
In response to the growing speculation, the fact-checking site Snopes contacted the White House for comment. Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for the administration, denied the claims outright.
“This is fake,” he said.
He went further, saying:
“The President has been the most transparent president in history, and the recent medical report clearly and unequivocally shows he is in peak condition.”
Cheung also dismissed the rumors as being part of a larger pattern of politically motivated misinformation.
“These conspiracy theories peddled by demented individuals hiding behind social media, and now being given a platform by the fake news, clearly suffer from a debilitating case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
So, Is Trump Wearing a Catheter?
At this time, there is no verified evidence that Donald Trump is using a catheter. The claim is entirely based on social media speculation, particularly a photograph in which the visual details are subject to interpretation.
While public health transparency remains important—especially for someone holding the highest office—no official medical sources have confirmed any urinary condition, nor has there been medical necessity shared that would explain the use of such a device.
Given the political climate, it’s important to distinguish between valid health concerns and viral conspiracy theories.
Between Fact, Fiction, and Politics
Speculating about the health of public figures is nothing new, and in an election year, every photograph, stumble, or silence is analyzed for signs of weakness. But these conversations often say as much about our political polarization as they do about the person in question.
What’s clear is this: until or unless Donald Trump or his doctors confirm a specific health condition, the catheter rumors remain unsubstantiated.
That said, the public will likely continue to demand transparency from both Trump and his political rivals—not just on health, but on every aspect of their leadership.
