FALSE
An image showing Donald Trump using a walker was digitally manipulated. NewsGuard and Snopes traced the original photo, which showed no walker. The manipulated image was created to spread false claims about Trump's health and went viral on social media before being debunked.
In 2025, a manipulated image purporting to show former President Trump using a walker spread widely on social media. Fact-checkers traced the original photograph to a Getty Images archive, which showed the same scene without a walker. Digital forensic analysis revealed clear signs of photo manipulation where the walker was added. The fake image was part of a broader pattern of health-related misinformation targeting political figures.
The Viral Image
The image showed Trump appearing to grip a walker, with captions claiming it revealed undisclosed health problems [1].
It spread rapidly on Twitter/X and Facebook before fact-checkers could respond [3].
Digital Forensics
Reverse image search revealed the original Getty Images photo, which showed the same scene without any walker [7].
Error level analysis showed clear editing artifacts where the walker was digitally added [6].
Pattern of Health Misinfo
The fake walker image followed a pattern of manipulated health claims targeting political figures in 2025 [2].
Similar tactics were used against candidates across the political spectrum [4].
Conclusion
The Trump walker image was a digital fabrication. The original photograph, available through Getty Images, shows no walker. This case demonstrates the importance of reverse image search and digital forensics in verifying political images. Always check viral political photos against original sources before sharing.