President Donald Trump has showcased a noticeably different look in recent weeks, from his changing outfits to the way he presents himself onstage.
His weight and overall appearance have also drawn increasing attention as cameras capture him at public events.
During his latest appearance, he once again showcased that evolving look, flashing his new wardrobe even though no one wanted to see.
The 80-year-old provocateur built a personal brand as a businessman that highlighted his signature comb-over, dark suits, and red tie.
Across three election cycles, Trump has made a habit of going after political opponents over their appearances and looks with brutal, unforgiving nicknames.
Current Secretary of State Marco Rubio learned that firsthand when Trump dubbed him “Lil Marco,” taking a swipe at his height and stature.
That brand of insult politics also gave Trump’s critics plenty of material to fire back. His opponents have repeatedly zeroed in on his own appearance, with his protruding belly becoming one of their favorite targets.
The egocentric billionaire traveled to Grand Island, Nebraska, on Oct. 5, for a midterm campaign rally, where his midsection stole the show.
A photo of the president after his 82-minute speech in the Cornhusker State went viral on X and Threads.
Trump stood on stage inside the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center, smirking. But when he stepped on stage, he held his suit jacket open with both hands.
His long blue tie partially covered his gut, but not enough to prevent social media users from zeroing in on his bulging waistline.
Other commenters on the platform joked about what they thought they saw. One person jokingly replied, “That girdle must be extra-strength.”
“Built like a sack of russets,” another Trump detractor wrote, comparing him to a bag of large potatoes. Another jokester piled on, adding, “No way.”
Trump’s open-jacket stance led one person to sarcastically write, “Elderly man flashes public. Time to take grandpa back to the nursing home.”
Some of the responses were more vitriolic than humorous. Another pointed out that Trump looked like “238 pounds and 6 feet 3 inches (so say his official medical report) of lean, mean, fighting machine. Just ask him.”
A few people also wondered whether Trump was wearing a Jos. A. Bank suit after zooming in on the tag and calling it cheap-looking.
“I thought he had all his suits custom made? That’s weird,” one person asked.
Jos. A. Bank makes its suits overseas, often in countries such as China and Bangladesh, according to a menswear writer. The brand also sells Joseph Abboud suits, which the company makes in the United States.
Trump’s weight and health have drawn more attention than usual in recent months as some say he appears to be declining.
Naysayers use evidence of Trump spilling out of his pants, his tight suit jacket, and his swollen ankles above his shoes.
In May, during his physical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, he was listed as 75 inches tall and weighing 238 pounds.
Those body measurements were met with widespread skepticism, as many observers claim Trump looks overweight in photos, the opposite physique of a professional athlete.
Despite White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella publishing a memorandum stating that Trump is in “excellent health,” questions about his physical condition persisted.
Even Barbabella admitted that Trump needed to slim down, increase his physical activity and lose weight.
So far, his waistline does not seem to have gotten the memo.
The president’s weight, bruised hands, and chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis have fueled health concerns. So have his frequent episodes of appearing to fall asleep during public events and meetings. Meanwhile, his speeches often jump between topics, fueling further scrutiny.
