A viral video circulating this month falsely depicts the president being startled awake by a flatulence sound in the Oval Office.
WASHINGTON, DC: Social media platforms have been abuzz with a clip purporting to show President Donald Trump accidentally waking himself up with a loud sound while appearing to doze off. While the footage triggered widespread amusement and sharp criticism online, doubts regarding its authenticity quickly led to a closer investigation.
Claim: Donald Trump startled himself awake with a flatulence sound
The widely shared video features text overlaid on X (formerly Twitter) claiming, “Trump wakes himself up after audible fart during White House briefing.”
Copies of the clip soon surfaced across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, accumulating millions of views and a mixed wave of responses ranging from online mockery to calls for verification.
Fact Check: Altered; audio was artificially inserted into the footage
A thorough review of the original material confirms that the video itself is real, but the audio of the bodily noise was digitally added in post-production. Furthermore, although Trump’s eyes appear partially or fully closed for a brief moment, he does not exhibit typical signs of falling asleep, such as his head dropping.
The footage originates from a longer White House press event held on May 11, where officials—including Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz—spoke on maternal healthcare and referenced Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala).
The exact sequence used in the modified clip can be found on YouTube starting at the 20:24 mark of the full-length broadcast. Additionally, a search for the audio yields a match: a YouTube video titled “Top 10 fart meme sound effects” features the exact same audio clip at the 0:16 mark.
Discussions surrounding Donald Trump’s health reemerge
Even though the viral clip was proven to be a hoax, it has once again turned public attention toward ongoing discussions regarding the president’s overall wellness. Public speculation was previously reignited on July 31, when photographs from a Cabinet meeting at Camp David showed visible discoloration on Trump’s hand.
Journalist Aaron Rupar posted the images online, pointing out, “Trump’s left hand (not the right one that is usually mangled) is discolored.”
Addressing previous inquiries about his physical condition in 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the president had undergone comprehensive medical evaluations, including vascular assessments, which attributed hand discoloration to a common, chronic vein condition.