It started with the bruised hands, which the White House attributed to a lifetime of enthusiastic handshaking. Then came the swollen ankles, the leg slapping on the tarmac, the closed eyes in the Oval Office during a historic vaccine announcement, and the noticeable protrusion under the suit jacket during a 60 Minutes interview that nobody in the administration ever officially explained.
On Sunday, journalist Aaron Rupar posted a 37-second clip that added something entirely new to the catalogue: “Seriously, what is going on with Trump’s rear end here? It looks like he has some sort of contraption back there.”
Seriously, what is going on with Trump’s rear end here? It looks like he has some sort of contraption back there pic.twitter.com/U1mF6Tt4oG
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 16, 2026
Within hours of posting, the clip had taken on a life of its own, and the internet had plenty of thoughts about what exactly was going on back there.
Natalie Harp is hiding there, just in case he does a runner for the nearest food delivery truck so she doesn’t get left behind.
— Jacko (@coys46210) August 16, 2026
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Maybe niki minaj convinced him he needed a bbl
— Rainier Rhonda🫠 (@suzy_pb) August 16, 2026
Box of airline chicken nuggets stolen from the catering truck he was hiding in?
— BinderdunWithX (@njpc1888) August 16, 2026
Dang, he’s trying to fit in with Miami culture with the BBL 😭
— omislice (@0mislice) August 16, 2026
Now we see where they’re hiding the Epstein files
— The_Buffalo_Don 🇺🇸🦬✊🏾 (@bigbuffalodon) August 16, 2026
Sunday added another chapter to what had already been a busy week. At a Garden City law enforcement rally on Friday, Trump danced to “YMCA” in front of a room full of police officers, a routine his supporters cheer and his critics have been watching closely.
A few days earlier, another clip had people looking at his movements. It showed Trump repeatedly slapping the side of his leg while walking across an airport tarmac. “Why is he always slapping his side now?” X influencer Molly Ploofkins asked.
Why is he always slapping his side now? pic.twitter.com/AF5yXoNz5K
— Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) August 9, 2026
That clip came just days after photos from the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster showed bruising across Trump’s forearm. Trump has previously attributed the bruising to high dose aspirin use along with his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency.
Karoline Leavitt had previously offered her own explanation for the bruising on Trump’s hands, saying: “President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”
The White House, however, has continued to describe Trump as being in excellent health. Spokesperson Davis Ingle said in April: “President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history. President Trump’s commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”
A May memo made the case even more strongly, stating that Trump “remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function” and is “fully fit to carry out all duties.”
Featured image via X screengrab