Trump's latest ‘smiling’ photo sparks row after Grok's bizarre 2024 claim

In the photo, Donald Trump is seen smiling, wearing a white T-shirt and a white "USA" cap while standing next to conservative radio host John Fredericks.

Published on: Sep 02, 2025 8:13 AM IST

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President Donald Trump's absence from public appearances over the past week has fueled renewed speculation about his health. Amid the online chatter, conservative radio host John Fredericks posted a photo of himself with Trump at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, aiming to reassure supporters.

U.S. President Donald Trump departs Trump National Golf Club on September 1, 2025 in Sterling, Virginia. President Trump is remaining in the Washington, DC area for the Labor Day Weekend. (Getty Images via AFP)

In the photo, Trump is seen smiling, wearing a white T-shirt and a white "USA" cap while standing next to Fredericks. While some users welcomed the image as a sign of good health, others questioned its authenticity, claiming the image may have been edited or taken on an earlier date.

One person commented, “This photo has been circulated before. It's from 2024."

Another wrote, “Are you sure that's Trump? Looks like a cardboard cutout It looks like Trump is being supported. He seems to be leaning against Fredericks.”

A third person added, “Nice try. This picture is fake. There is a person in the mirror with their hand on the platform. Staircases are completely different.”

Grok's response sparks confusion

An AI-generated response from Grok added to the confusion, stating that, “It looks like this photo was taken on May 29, 2024, at Trump National Golf Club in Virginia, based on Getty Images credits and similar images from that day.”

John Fredericks issues clarification

To address the claims, Fredericks issued a clarification, “This photo was taken August 31, 2025 (yesterday) by my wife Anne on her phone at approximately 4:00 PM EST after golf & lunch at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. Secret Service allowed the photo at POTUS direction. Thanks & have a great day.”

Also Read: 'All options on the table': Trump looking at more sanctions on Russia, says Scott Bessent as Ukraine war rages on

Health rumors

Speculation about Trump’s health began last week after people noticed bruising on his hand during a recent appearance. His absence from public view since a cabinet meeting on August 26 fueled further discussion online.

Trump responded to the rumors on Sunday via Truth Social, saying he had “never felt better in my life.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan
Vaishnavi Vaidyanathan leads the US Desk at Hindustan Times, where she writes, strategises coverage, and ensures quality across all beats. With eight years of experience covering US news for leading publications, she has reported extensively on politics, entertainment, and sports. Vaishnavi holds a graduate degree in English, Journalism, and Psychology, and completed her PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism from the Manorama School of Communication, where she was awarded the prestigious Mammen Mappillai Award for Best Outgoing Student. She began her career at the International Business Times (US Edition), covering US breaking news, politics, and entertainment. She later joined Opoyi, reporting across all beats, including US sports and trending stories. Prior to Hindustan Times, she served as World Lead at Times Now News, covering comprehensive world news and events. Vaishnavi has expertise in politics, entertainment, and breaking news, and enjoys tackling stories across a wide range of topics. Beyond the newsroom, she is an avid traveller, a foodie who loves exploring new restaurants, and a pop culture enthusiast who enjoys watching latest shows and films. She also enjoys engaging in debates and discussions on Reddit.Read More

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