The controversy ignited when a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted close-up shots showing what appeared to be an unusual shape pressing against Trump’s pant leg. The post read, “What’s going on here?” and quickly amassed over 17,000 likes. Soon, theories began to flood in.

Some speculated the 45th president may have been wearing a Foley catheter—used to drain urine from the bladder into a collection bag strapped to the leg—a device commonly prescribed for individuals with urinary incontinence. One user went as far as to connect this alleged device to signs of late-stage frontotemporal dementia, citing symptoms such as bladder control issues, impulsivity, and personality changes.

Others, however, offered a different take. Some claimed the visible outline might be a brace, potentially used to support what’s known as “drop foot,” a condition that can result from nerve damage and cause difficulty lifting the front part of the foot. “If he’s had a neurological event, this all adds up,” one user wrote.