A single post on social media from California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pushed concerns about President Donald Trump’s health back into the spotlight, even as the White House insists there is nothing to see.

Rumors about Trump’s health, especially the extensive bruising on his hands, have sparked a wild debate on social media.

On Feb. 11, the official X account for Newsom posted a short clip of Trump appearing to struggle with his words during a speech and wrote, “The sundowning starts earlier every day.” That phrase refers to sundowning, a pattern of increased confusion or agitation sometimes seen in dementia patients later in the day — though it is a medical term, not a diagnosis.

The post circulated widely and sparked a sharp response online, with critics pointing to the president’s age and past verbal missteps. Some commenters interpreted the clip as evidence of cognitive decline. Others seized on the governor’s sarcastic tone as political theater.

But outside of the online reaction, there is no official diagnosis linking the president to any form of dementia.

The White House has publicly addressed speculation about Trump’s health before. In July 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read a physician’s update from the White House medical unit that included a series of tests the president underwent after noticing swelling in his legs.

According to that briefing, “all results were within normal limits,” and Leavitt said the president “remains in excellent health,” adding that the bruising and swelling were benign and expected given his age.

That memo, written by Trump’s physician, explained that vascular studies showed chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition among older adults that causes blood to pool in the legs and can lead to swelling.

The memo stated that there was “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis … or arterial disease,” and that an echocardiogram showed normal heart structure and function.

Despite that medical update, Newsom’s post struck a chord with critics of the president, many of whom view his public appearances through a political as well as personal lens. Some users responded to the video of Trump by questioning his clarity and coherence. Others argued that the governor’s comment was inappropriate and unfair.