WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — United States (US) President Donald Trump dismissed social media rumours that have swirled about his health as “fake news” during a press conference at the White House on Tuesday.

Trump did not schedule any public appearances or hold any press conferences for several days last week, a noticeable absence from the cameras for the publicity-loving 79-year-old.

Combined with his age — he is the oldest person ever to be elected US president — and recent images of his bruised hand and swollen ankles, the quiet from the Oval Office ignited widespread speculation that something was seriously wrong with Trump’s health.

Many users even suggested that the 47th US president may have passed away, and that the White House was covering it up.

“I didn’t see that,” the Republican said when a reporter on Tuesday asked him jokingly, “How did you find out over the weekend that you were dead?”

“That’s fake news,” he added as the reporter, Fox News’ Peter Doocy, told him of the speculation.

In July, the White House said discolouration on Trump’s right hand was “tissue irritation from frequent handshaking” and the use of aspirin as part of a standard cardiovascular treatment.

It said his legs were swollen by chronic venous insufficiency, a common, benign vein condition.

The condition involves damaged leg veins that fail to keep blood flowing properly.

Presidential physician Sean Barbabella said Trump “remains in excellent health” despite the condition, in a letter released by the White House at the time.

The Republican frequently boasts of his good health and energy levels, while the administration even posted an image depicting him as Superman.

The health of US presidents has always been closely watched, but with the White House seeing its two oldest ever occupants since 2017, the scrutiny is now heavier than ever.

Trump has alleged that Democrats covered up the mental and physical decline of his predecessor, Joe Biden, who was 82 when he left office in January.

Biden’s health was a key issue in the 2024 election, and the then-president was forced to drop his campaign for a second term after a disastrous debate performance against Trump.