A claim has been made by a medical professor that President Donald Trump, 79, may have suffered a stroke in early 2025. Professor Bruce Davidson, from Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, points to visible symptoms and changes in Trump’s behavior as evidence. The White House has vehemently denied these claims, labeling them as baseless and politically motivated.
During an interview on The Court of History podcast, hosted by Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz, Davidson suggested that the stroke likely affected the left side of Trump’s brain, which controls the right side of the body. He estimates the event occurred six months or more prior.
“I think his stroke was on the left side of the brain, which controls the right side of the body,” Davidson explained, suggesting that observable changes in Trump’s physical behavior support his hypothesis.
Davidson pointed to videos of Trump shuffling his feet, a significant change from earlier footage of Trump striding confidently. He also highlighted instances of Trump cradling his right hand in his left and mispronouncing words earlier in 2025. However, Davidson did acknowledge a recent improvement in Trump’s speech.
The professor also referred to Trump’s excessive daytime sleepiness, a medically recognized condition known as hypersomnolence, common among stroke patients. Instances of Trump appearing to doze off during public appearances and his grip on the handrail with his left hand while descending Air Force One’s steps — despite being right-handed — were cited as consistent with a left-side brain stroke.
Davidson did not specify the type of stroke he believes Trump may have experienced, but he noted that if his assessment is correct, Trump appears to have made a significant recovery.
Public speculation about Trump’s health has been ongoing for months. The president has frequently been seen with visible bruises on his hands, which have been concealed with makeup. Trump has also been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, causing swelling in his lower legs. This condition was confirmed by the White House in July 2024. To manage the swelling, Trump’s admission that he takes more aspirin than recommended also raises medical concerns.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in January, Trump discussed his health issues, including his aspirin use for cardiac prevention. He also clarified that he underwent a CT scan, not an MRI as initially reported, to rule out cardiovascular issues. The scan revealed no abnormalities, according to Dr. Sean Barbabella.
Trump expressed regret for the advanced imaging as it led to further speculation about his health. The medical evaluation took place in October 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, with a note dated October 10 confirming the follow-up but providing limited details about the procedures performed.
Further public attention was drawn on September 11, 2025, when Trump’s face appeared droopy on one side at an event. Social media users speculated it could be a sign of a stroke, although no diagnosis was confirmed. Facial drooping is a common symptom of stroke, occurring when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, affecting muscle control on one side of the face.
Davidson also suggested that Trump’s behavior during his second term aligns with post-stroke changes. He explained that strokes can trigger varied responses in patients, from humility and gratitude to euphoria or risk-taking.
The White House firmly refuted Davidson’s claims. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump as being in excellent health and dismissed the allegations as politically motivated attacks. Leavitt labeled the allegations as “absolute nonsense” and characterized Davidson as a “left-wing nutjob and Democrat activist.”
In a statement, Leavitt emphasized Trump’s strong work ethic and public accessibility, contrasting it with concerns about former President Joe Biden’s health during his presidency. She accused the media of promoting false narratives at a time when trust in journalism is at a historical low.
Questions about the health of aging political leaders have become common in American politics. Biden, who was 82 years and seven months old when he left office, faced constant questions about his physical and mental fitness. Trump, who will be 82 years and seven months old at the end of his current term if fully served, is set to become the oldest president in U.S. history.
The bruising on Trump’s hands first gained public attention in February 2025, when discoloration on his right hand was visible through makeup during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. At the time, Leavitt attributed the bruising to Trump’s frequent handshaking and daily aspirin use, describing him as a man of the people who interacts with more Americans than any other president in history.
As questions persisted, Barbabella explained during a July press briefing that the bruising was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use, which was part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.
Despite the White House’s denials and medical explanations, public scrutiny of Trump’s health continues. The lack of detailed medical records and Trump’s contradictory statements about his imaging procedures have fueled speculation. The discrepancy between initial reports of an MRI and Trump’s later correction to a CT scan raises additional questions about transparency.
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 that have followed Trump throughout his second term.
Chronic venous insufficiency, a condition with which Trump has been diagnosed, occurs when veins in the legs cannot 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 cardiovascular issues if left unmanaged.
Trump’s admission that he takes more aspirin than recommended also raises medical concerns. While low-dose aspirin is commonly prescribed for cardiovascular prevention, excessive amounts can increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, potentially explaining the visible marks on the president’s hands.
As Trump approaches the midpoint of his second term, questions about his health remain. Whether Davidson’s stroke theory is valid or unfounded speculation, the ongoing debate highlights wider concerns about presidential health transparency and the physical demands on the nation’s oldest leaders.