Liputan6.com, Jakarta In September 2025, speculation about former United States President Donald Trump's health resurfaced widely on social media suggested he may have suffered a mild stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
This concern was fueled by his appearance at the 9/11 memorial service, where some observers noticed physical changes to his face.
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The incident occurred while Trump was attending a ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 9/11 attacks.
Videos and photos from the event quickly circulated, showing Trump's mouth appearing to droop to the right side of his face and an eyelid appearing to droop on one side.
Although speculation about Donald Trump's stroke became a hot topic, there was no official confirmation from the White House or President Trump himself at the time.
Donald Trump's Droopy Face
Donald Trump's appearance at the 9/11 memorial service in September 2025 attracted attention after observers noticed a drooping of the mouth.
This physical sign sparked serious concern on social media, with many speculating about a possible mini-stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Video from the event at the Pentagon clearly showed a drooping eyelid on one side of his face.Some online users linked the drooping of the facial "eyelid" to symptoms of a stroke.
The American Stroke Association notes that a drooping or twisting face is one consistent indicator of a stroke.
This occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is disrupted, and if the left side of the brain is affected, the right side of the face can droop or twist.
The speculation about Donald Trump's stroke was further fueled by the lack of a swift official explanation from the White House.
However, no official statement from Trump or the White House physician directly addressed the possibility at the outset.
What is Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA)?
According to NHS UK, a transient ischemic attack (TIA), or "mini-stroke," is caused by a temporary interruption in the blood supply to a portion of the brain.
This interruption in blood supply results in a lack of oxygen to the brain.
This can cause sudden symptoms similar to a stroke, such as speech and vision problems, as well as numbness or weakness in the face, arms, and legs.
However, a TIA doesn't last as long as a stroke. Its effects last from a few minutes to a few hours and fully resolve within 24 hours.
The main symptoms of a TIA can be remembered with the word FAST:
- Face – the face may have dropped on 1 side, the person may not be able to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.
- Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them raised because of weakness or numbness in 1 arm.
- Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or the person may not be able to talk at all, despite appearing to be awake; they may also have problems understanding what you're saying to them.
- Time – it's time to call 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptomS.
Age and Health of US Presidents
At his inauguration in 2025, Donald Trump set a record as the oldest individual to begin a presidential term in the United States.
His age, 79 at the time, as the 47th president and previously the 45th, sparked ongoing public concern.
Between August 26 and September 2, rumors about Trump's health spread widely online, exacerbated by bruises on his hands and his lack of public appearances for a week.
Since Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, his physical and mental health have been the subject of intense debate.