President Donald Trump appeared alive and well Saturday morning, shutting down a grotesque death hoax that had been spreading across left-wing circles online.
The president was spotted in Virginia ahead of a golf outing with his grandchildren.
That appearance ended hours of wild speculation that Trump had somehow died.
The hoax began circulating earlier in the week.
Much of it centered on Trump not being seen publicly since Tuesday, though the claim had no factual basis.
Some of the speculation tied back to Vice President J.D. Vance’s August 27 interview.
Asked about the role of the vice president, Vance said he was “ready to step in if there was a terrible tragedy.”
Hoaxers seized on the remark, as Trending Politics reported.
From there, left-wing extremists took to social media to openly celebrate the idea of Trump being dead. Political streamer Vaush wrote, “They’re putting orange paint and a wig on Vance as we speak.”
Another X user wrote, “I don’t care if Trump is still alive, I’m going to like every post I see that says he’s dead. Put it out into the cosmos.” That post gained over 70,000 likes.
Others joined in by posting demonic images and openly wishing