Topline
President Donald Trump had a rough-sounding voice while taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office on Monday, saying his hoarseness was from shouting at people over matters of trade and wasn’t a sign of any broader health issue.
Trump made the comments during an Oval Office appearance Monday. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
When asked about his voice and if he was feeling alright, Trump said he felt “great” and that the gravelly voice was due to “shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade and a country.”
“I straightened it out,” Trump said, “But I blew my stack at these people.”
A reporter then said it “sounds like there’s a follow up there,” and was misheard by Trump, who responded, “I thought you said there was a polyp… I don’t want to hear that.”
Key Background
Trump’s health has come under scrutiny during his second term, in particular dark spotting that was observed on his hand, which he has attributed to an aspirin regimen and frequent hand shaking. The White House recently reported the president received an MRI as part of an annual physical, which he described as “standard,” though he has also claimed he did not know what doctors were reviewing as part of the procedure. The White House this summer also revealed Trump was diagnosed with a common chronic vein condition, which is typically not serious with treatment, after he was spotted with swollen ankles. Trump, 79, has repeatedly claimed his health is top notch.