Fact Check: Are Trump’s Labor Day weekend photos from 2019?

Fact Check: Are Trump’s Labor Day weekend photos from 2019?
Donald Trump’s Labor Day photos sparked widespread confusion after rumors claimed they recycled images from 2019 (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: A rumor in late August 2025 alleged that the White House released photographs of President Donald Trump from 2019 and falsely presented them as current images.

The claim surfaced amid false speculation that Trump had died over Labor Day weekend.

Claim: Donald Trump Labor Day photos recycled from 2019

The viral TikTok video alleged that the White House attempted to prove Trump was alive by releasing outdated images.


 
 
 
 
 
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The user compared photos of Trump and his grandchildren entering the presidential motorcade on the White House's south lawn, en route to Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.

The clip suggested the photos matched older images from 2019, citing details like the license plate number and Trump's golf attire. The rumor spread rapidly across Facebook, Threads, Instagram, and Reddit, prompting widespread confusion.

Fact Check: Getty Images confirms 2025 origin of Donald Trump photos

The photos were not released by the White House but by TMZ, which credited them to Getty Images. A reverse-image search showed no records of these photos appearing before Labor Day weekend 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump walks with his grandchild Spencer Trump after golfing at Trump National Golf Club on August 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is spending his Labor Day weekend in Washington, DC after deploying the National Guard to Washington this month. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Donald Trump walked with his grandson Spencer Trump after golfing at Trump National Golf Club on August 30, 2025 in Washington, DC (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

There are several details that disprove it. The “800-002” Washington, D.C., license plate seen on the presidential vehicle is not unique to 2019; it has been used on motorcades under former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and during Trump’s first term, making its reappearance completely normal.


WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 30: U.S. President Donald Trump gets into his motorcade with his granddaughter Kai Trump before heading to Trump National Golf Club on August 30, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump is spending his Labor Day weekend in Washington, DC after deploying the National Guard to Washington this month. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
Donald Trump entered his motorcade with his granddaughter Kai Trump before heading to Trump National Golf Club on August 30, 2025 in Washington, DC (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

Trump’s grandchildren, Kai (18) and Spencer (12), appear visibly older than they would have been in 2019, clearly indicating the photos are current.

Finally, Trump’s golf hat offers another clue, in 2019 he wore a red “Make America Great Again” cap marked “45,” denoting his first term, whereas since taking office again, he has worn hats marked “45-47.”

Getty Images even captured Trump in this updated, confirming the photos’ authenticity.

The speculation arose during a wave of baseless rumors about Trump’s health, including claims he died over Labor Day weekend.

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 25: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he meets with family members of victims of the
Donald Trump spoke while meeting family members of Abbey Gate terrorist attack victims in the Oval Office at the White House on August 25, 2025 in Washington, DC (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The TikTok video, which focused on photo angles and vehicle plates, ignited misinformation across social platforms. Similar images of Trump boarding his motorcade from 2018, 2019, and 2020 helped fuel confusion, but none matched the specifics of the 2025 photographs.

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