President Trump’s voice sounded a bit off while answering questions inside the Oval Office on Monday. The 47th President had a raspy voice when he chatted with reporters from the White House on Monday. When a reporter asked why his voice sounded the way it did, Trump explained he was shouting at people over a trade deal.
A reporter asked, “Your voice sounds a little rough. Are you feeling alright?” before the president shut him down with a swift response. “I feel great. I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something having to do with trade and a country,” Trump said. The reporter continued saying, “Well it sounds like there’s a follow up there” before the president abruptly said, “What?”
President Trump while serving in office has been free from health problems for the most part. During a regular news briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Trump, 79, had noticed swelling in his legs, prompting a check-up with his doctor who diagnosed him with chronic venous insufficiency.
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when leg veins don’t allow blood to flow back up to the heart, causing it to pool in the lower limbs. Normal blood flow from the legs back up to the heart moves against gravity, which in older people can become a difficult process. This can be due to weakening valves in veins, something that can occur as people age.
The White House has said it is unrelated to the vein condition but is instead bruising as a result of frequent handshaking. Trump’s condition is “benign and common,” particularly in individuals over the age of 70, according to a note from White House physician Captain Sean Barbabella released to reporters.