IsPresident Donald Trump dead? No. Still, many online insisted otherwise. Over Labor Day weekend, internet rumors abounded overthe president's health. These rumors appear to have been fueled by a lack of recent public appearances by Trump, as well asphotos that appeared to show bruisingon the president's right hand. Other photos that showed Trump's right hand covered in makeup didn't help quell the speculation either. The online discourse reached such a fever pitch that Trump himself eventually commented on, discussing it during a Sept. 2 press conference from the Oval Office, his first public appearance since Aug. 26. "I didn't do any (news conferences) for two days, and they said, 'There must be something wrong with him,' " Trump told reporters. "Biden wouldn't do them for months, you wouldn't see him, and nobody ever said there was ever anything wrong with him, and we know he wasn't in the greatest of shape." Trump isn't the first political figure to face health scrutiny − and he almost certainly will not be the last. Remember therumors about Senator Mitch McConnellthat circulated after he froze up during a press conference? Or thescrutiny President Joe Biden facedthroughout his term that reached a boiling point after hisstumbling debate performanceagainst Trump? According to mental health experts, there are many nuances when it comes to speculating about a politician's health. Though a personal topic, experts say that, by and large, politicians do have a duty to be transparent about personal health matters with the public. And, in an age when rumors fly so swiftly online, they shouldn't be surprised when wildly untrue rumors surface either. 'I was very active over the weekend':Trump addresses online speculation about his health "It's not ethical for health practitioners to diagnose people from afar, regardless of whether they're a celebrity or a politician,"Amy Morin, psychotherapist and the host of theMentally Stronger with Therapist Amy Morinpodcast, previously told USA TODAY. "But it may be important to assure that someone in a position of power is getting treated by a professional to ensure that they still have the ability to perform the duties assigned to their position." Rumors and gossip have been around since the dawn of humanity. What's new, however, is the speed at which they now travel, thanks to the internet. When a rumor involves a well-known or powerful figure − like a politician or celebrity − that only adds to the intrigue. "That's been around way before internet. It's just now we have a medium where it goes around the world in seconds," psychotherapistStephanie Sarkissays. "Whenever it involves someone in power, that especially gets a lot of traction." Want to stay up-to-date on the latest health and wellness news? Sign up forour Better Yet newsletter. Rumors also spread faster when there's, at least, a hint of truth to them − or what seems to be truth at a glance. No, Trump is not dead − nor is there any evidence he's currently on the cusp of dying. But the White House has been open about some of the president's medical issues. He was diagnosed withchronic venous insufficiency, a common vein condition, the White House said in July, after photos showed visibleswelling in his legsand bruising on his right hand. White House physician Sean Barbabella described the condition in amemoas "benign and common" and the marks on his hand as "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking." Another reason people may be drawn to health rumors about world leaders in particular, Sarkis says, is because contemplating worst-case scenarios is how people cope. "Sometimes, our systems go on high alert, because what happens now?" Sarkis says. "We know by the constitution what happens, but we don't know what that's going to look like." More:Mitch McConnell and when it becomes OK to talk about someone's personal health issues Plus, for better or worse, rumors and gossip are also a means through which people find connection with each other − something people are desperately seeking in an age whenfeelings of lonelinessremain high. "There becomes kind of a community around that rumor," Sarkis says. "Back in the olden days, before internet, you would call up somebody that you hadn't talked to in a while ... but, on the internet, you're gaining followers." Health is a sensitive subject. Not every person owes the world an explanation when untrue rumors about them spread. But, with politicians, it's different. The public relies on their ability to perform the duties for which they were elected. Assuring the public they're physically capable is important, experts say. More:Trump's appearance, that speech and the problem with speculating about a public figure's health "There may be situations where a political leader's health directly impacts their ability to perform their duties,"Brad Fulton, associate professor of management and social policy at the Indiana University – Bloomington, previously told USA TODAY. "In those cases, there might be a legitimate public interest in knowing about their health condition. Yet, such discussions should avoid being speculative or sensational." Whatever the case, when considering personal health matters, Fulton added: "It is important to balance the public's right to information with the individual's right to privacy." Contributing: David Oliver, Francesca Chambers and Kinsey Crowley This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump death rumors spiral out of control. Why?
