Trump sparks health fears at 9/11 event as one side of face 'completely drops'

New fears over Donald Trump's health have surfaced after his latest public appearance with First Lady Melania Trump at a service marking 24 years since the horrific 9/11 attacks.

When the US president addressed a crowd of service members and families of victims at the Pentagon Memorial near Washington on Thursday, people on social media could not help but notice something unusual about his appearance.

Viewers on X were quick to suggest that Trump’s mouth was drooping noticeably to the right side of his face, sparking concerns about the 79-year-old's physical and mental health. But others slammed the health rumours as insensitive, insisting Trump simply looked shaken after the assassination of his ally Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

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Posting a photo of the president's face, one X user claimed: "He looks like he has had a TIA/minor stroke. This isn’t a one-off expression, he’s been like this for 30 minutes."

"During the 9/11 ceremony Trump was falling asleep. Also, while relaxing, his face started to droop to one side," wrote another person on X, adding, "This man is not medically well."

However, another user argued that Trump just looked "tired and troubled" over recent events. During the service, Trump paid tribute to conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at just 31. "We miss him greatly," he told the crowd. "Yet I have no doubt that Charlie's voice and the courage that he put into the hearts of countless people, especially young people, will live on".

Trump also announced that he will posthumously award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom - the highest honour that can be bestowed on a civilian in America. Meanwhile, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth likened Kirk to those who lost their lives on 9/11.

The White House has yet to comment on the latest concerns about Trump’s health.

In early September, audio from a phone interview with Scott Jennings, the former special assistant to President George W. Bush, fuelled rumours that that Trump had contracted COVID or some other illness.

Trump sounded congested and tired as he wearily discussed his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin. His voice was gravelly throughout the clip, and at one point, he appeared to sniffle or subtly clear his nose while speaking. Trump and the White House quickly dismissed rumours about the president's health.