A viral screenshot making the rounds online falsely suggests the White House shared a picture of Donald Trump relaxing in a sauna with shirtless, athletic men in MAGA hats.
WASHINGTON, DC: Social media platforms have been buzzing with a rumor alleging that the White House published an unusual photo of President Donald Trump unwinding in a sauna alongside several half-dressed companions.
The image has circulated widely, sparking a mix of amusement, confusion, and demands for authentication from online users.
Claim: White House published a sauna photo of Trump
The narrative began with a screenshot designed to look like an authentic post from the official White House X account.
In the fabricated image, a muscular rendering of Trump is depicted in a sauna room with muscular, bare-chested men sporting MAGA caps.
The accompanying text read, “We heard people have strong opinions on what to wear at the gym. Here’s our opinion.”
The post quickly gained traction, pulling in close to half a million views. While some users took the image at face value, others immediately questioned its authenticity and called for a thorough investigation.
Fact Check: Untrue, the White House never shared this image
Naturally, the claim holds no water. A review of all official White House social media channels, including X, shows no trace of the post.
A keyword search for the alleged caption on X yielded zero matches. Furthermore, examinations using artificial intelligence detection software confirm that the picture of Trump was entirely AI-generated.
Tracing the origin of the screenshot through a reverse image lookup leads back to an X profile named @GaryPetersonUSA, which uploaded the fake post on October 15. The profile frequently shares similar AI-crafted imagery intended for satirical purposes.
Had the White House actually published such a bizarre post, major news organizations would have immediately picked up the story. However, broader web searches return no legitimate news coverage confirming the event.
White House fast-tracked West Wing chandelier installation ahead of Trump’s birthday
The viral screenshot emerged shortly after the Washington Sun reported that the administration had ordered an expedited installation of new chandeliers within the West Wing, timed ahead of Trump’s 80th birthday festivities slated for June.
According to the outlet, procurement paperwork dated June 5 categorized the project as urgent, mandating that the light fixtures be put in place over the weekend to prepare for upcoming Fourth of July festivities and presidential birthday events.
“This must happen over the weekend as these must be in place before the June anniversary events,” the documentation noted.