(MENAFN) A new trend has emerged among critics of US President Donald Trump, who are now scrutinizing his health in hopes of predicting his political and personal longevity. The conversation began after recent images showed the back of Trump’s hands covered in heavy makeup, allegedly concealing bruises. Social media users have been analyzing the photos, adjusting contrast and examining details for signs of medical interventions, such as intravenous marks that might suggest serious conditions like heart problems. Observers have also focused on his swollen ankles, debating whether their apparent changes could indicate a timeline for his remaining time in office—or in life.

On platforms like TikTok, this has spawned a genre of content dubbed “hopecore,” where users, often citing medical or quasi-medical expertise, speculate on how long Trump might last, though estimates vary widely. Some enthusiasts track his health obsessively with charts, spreadsheets, and countdowns, similar to fantasy football leagues but focused on anatomical features.

The White House has referred to Trump’s “chronic venous insufficiency” to explain his swelling and bruising. Public scrutiny intensified back in June when his appearance at a UFC event sparked speculation over whether he was wearing a catheter or simply carrying an object in his pocket—leading some internet sleuths to offer imaginative interpretations of his actions and posture.

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