Fact Check: Does Trump wear an LVAD after suffering advanced heart failure?

WASHINGTON, DC: In early September 2025, speculation about President Donald Trump’s health resurfaced after viral images appeared to show unusual bumps under his suit.

Social media users claimed the president might be wearing a medical device, even suggesting a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which is implanted in patients with severe heart problems.

Claim: Trump wore a medical device under his suit

Several posts highlighted screenshots of Donald Trump during his September 2 speech.

The photos and videos quickly became part of a larger wave of rumors following weeks of online claims that the president's health was deteriorating.

One image suggested a boxlike shape was visible beneath his shirt when he lifted an arm, sparking speculation about an LVAD implant. Another clip pointed to a lump under the arm of his jacket, with users arguing the fabric “did not usually fall like that.”

Some claimed the alleged bulges indicated the presence of a hidden medical device, with theories linking it to Trump’s recent absence from public view.

Fact Check: Claims that Trump wore an LVAD under his suit are baseless

Medical experts note that an LVAD is a serious, battery-operated pump implanted inside or near the heart’s left ventricle. According to Johns Hopkins University and the Mayo Clinic, LVAD implantation requires open-heart surgery and days to weeks of recovery. Patients typically remain hospitalized or in rehabilitation facilities for at least two to three weeks.

Given these facts, it is highly unlikely that Trump was wearing such a device during the White House event. He was spotted walking and golfing on August 31, just days before the alleged “lump” sightings, and has since appeared at public events. These activities would not be possible if he had recently undergone LVAD surgery.

A review of the September 2 footage shows a protrusion visible under Trump’s jacket at the 18:36 mark, but it smooths out when he stops leaning to his right. At 41:53, a shadow on his shirt created the appearance of a “boxlike” shape, which could just as easily be a crease in the fabric.

No evidence has been presented to support the LVAD claims, making them speculative at best.

Recent claims add to wave of speculative posts about Trump's health

This is not the first time Donald Trump’s health has come under online scrutiny. In late August 2025, rumors falsely claimed the president had died, while others suggested he had only months to live.

Earlier in the summer, the Republican leader's physician confirmed he has chronic venous insufficiency, a benign but common condition in older adults. Photographs also showed bruising on his hands, which the White House attributed to rigorous handshakes and aspirin therapy, a common preventative regimen for cardiovascular health. 

The viral images of “lumps” under Trump’s suit now join a growing list of speculative posts about his health, much of it fueled by out-of-context photos, shadows, or digitally altered images.

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