Crowds and cameras waited nearly an hour before Donald Trump finally appeared in the Oval Office on September 2. The briefing was delayed by about 45 minutes. Then, it was billed as an update on the U.S. Space Command headquarters shifting from Colorado to Alabama. But for many, the moment was more about seeing Trump in the flesh. After a weekend filled with wild rumors that he had died, the event worked as a kind of proof-of-life appearance.
When he did step out, it looked like business as usual. Trump didn’t appear any less healthy than in recent weeks. His team even seemed to have found a concealer shade that got off better with the bruises and smudged makeup on his hand, the same hand that’s been fueling alarm over the internet.
All of the Melania snubs make even more sense now that you know about Trump’s horrific smell — usually occurring after she was in enclosed or tight spaces with the man.
Can you blame her? Imagine emerging from the stench of a long flight…#TrumpSmellsLikeAss pic.twitter.com/nKRVxmQaMQ
— Christopher Webb (@cwebbonline) December 31, 2023
During the Q&A, Trump was in his familiar mood. Blasting Joe Biden, railing against “fake news,” and repeating his strange new refrain that the U.S. is “hot.” But then came something less expected. He brought up Melania.
Fox News’ Peter Doocy pressed him about the viral White House clip that had social media speculating about his marriage. The video showed something tossed from a White House window. Trump confidently said it couldn’t be real. “In fact, my wife was complaining about it the other day. She said, ‘Love to have a little fresh air come in,’ but you can’t. They’re bulletproof,” he explained as he called the clip AI-generated.
That’s where things got awkward. Trump has already faced rumors about his personal smell, and his story about Melania wanting “fresh air” gave new fuel to that chatter. Why would she ask, knowing the windows don’t open?
His comment raised another red flag. It hinted at the fact that Melania lives at the White House, but insiders have long claimed she stays away. Reports suggest the couple is effectively “separated,” and the New York Times noted she spent less than two weeks there in the first four months of his second term.
Trump claims a video showing people throwing bags out a White House window is “probably AI generated.” Doocy then plays the clip for him. Trump still insists it’s AI. pic.twitter.com/XgJJQYy8sj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 2, 2025
So, for critics and curious onlookers, Trump’s anecdote rang false. And when he wrapped it up with a joke, “If something happens that’s really bad, maybe I’ll have to just blame AI,” it only added to the sense that something smelled off.
