MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images
For many years, rumors about Donald Trump's body odor and possible urinary and fecal incontinence have circulated on social media. The gossip is often accompanied by photos that may have been manipulated or generated with AI. In some cases, real, undoctored photos that seem to reveal unpleasant stains or strange bulges are enlarged, scrutinized, and submitted as proof.
How credible are the claims about trump's personal hygiene?
• Noel Casler is a writer, podcaster, and comedian who worked on Celebrity Apprentice for six seasons. He has often shared his observations of Donald and other Trumps. Among other things, Casler has said that Trump would frequently soil himself, as a result of drug addiction and poor diet. Casler has also commented on Trump's corruption and moral turpitude. As a witness who was present while the show was being produced, Casler has credibility.
• Adam Kinzinger, a former Republican Congressman, described Donald Trump's odor as a blend of "armpits, ketchup, a butt and makeup" and said, "I'm genuinely surprised how people close to Trump haven't talked about the odor." As someone who has been in physical proximity to Trump on many occasions, Kinzinger has credibility.
• Kathy Griffin, a comedian who appeared twice on The Apprentice, has said that Trump "smelled really bad." Having met Trump in a professional context gives Griffin's claim credibility.
• Various anonynous and semi-anonymous persons on social media claim to have met Trump and to have noticed his terrible body odor. Without knowing who they are or what the details were of these encounters, their credibility is low.
• Bob Woodward, a journalist who interviewed Trump and wrote books about him, was quoted as having posted on Twitter that Trump smelled bad. However, this tweet, widely shared online, was fake, posted by a satire account. There have been other fake stories, supposedly from staff members who find it hard to work around Trump because of his odor. There have been other posts from people who claim, without evidence, to have been contacted by credible sources reporting incontinence and foul odors.
• Many observers view photos of odd-looking bulges in Trump's pants as evidence of diapers. Photos from news agencies are credible, in that they depict what was actually seen, but there is no proof of what caused the bulges. Unless he removes his pants in public, what he wears underneath them is still just speculation.
• Some photos of events appear to show people physically distancing themselves from Trump, standing by him but turning away, or making facial expressions that indicate distaste. There are also photos that show people standing near him and smiling. During interviews, Trump is usually seated several feet away from the interviewer. This practice started during the Covid epidemic, and is now standard procedure.
• A conventional online search along with an AI query did not find any reports of people claiming that Trump smells good. Nor was there any evidence that people close to Trump have actively denied the bad smell claims.
• Donald Trump has a history of filing lawsuits for defamation, but so far has not sued anyone over the incontinence or odor claims.
Does It Matter?
Many people experience incontinence because of health problems beyond their control. By itself, this is not necessarily a sign of mental decline, immorality, or inability to work. However, incontinence can be a symptom of Alzheimer's and other dementia types, as well as a sign of some other diseases. The same is true of neglected personal hygiene. The physical and mental health status of the White House occupant is a legitimate, important concern for Americans.