JD Vance caught smirking behind Donald Trump's back in health scare clash

JD Vance has been caught smirking behind Donald Trump's back when the president was quizzed over his health on Tuesday night. The Vice President stood behind Mr Trump in an Oval Office press conference where he was asked for his reaction to online rumours wrongly claiming he died over the weekend.

Vice President Vance could be seen smirking, before quickly hiding it to avoid disappointing his boss, a body language expert has claimed. Inbaal Honigman, speaking on behalf of covers.com, said: "When Trump is asked about the rumours, Vance is seen suppressing a smile behind the president's back. It is a closed lip smile which is turned down at the corners, like the smile of a pupil who was caught pulling faces.

"When Trump's response remains serious and monosyllabic, Vance's smile drops, he understands that it's not the time for humour.

"Changing tack, the vice then shakes his head from side to side. This is a mark of disbelief, as if he says 'can you believe this guy?'"

The President's health has been the focus of frenzied speculation on social media.

His absence for a few days from the public eye fuelled unfounded rumours online he was unwell - with someone going as far as claiming he had died.

Mr Trump and the White House have both denied the rumours.

His public appearance in the Oval Office to announce that US Space Command will be located in Alabama failed to quash the false gossip.

Eagle-eyed online users noticed what appeared to be discolouration on one of his hands, while there were also other comments regarding his appearance and voice.

The President, 79, has been seen with what is believed to be make-up on the back of his hands before, thought to be covering up bruising.

In July, officials confirmed he had been diagnosed with a condition affecting his veins called chronic venous insufficiency.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has previously insisted the bruising is not related to the condition, instead saying it was "consistent" with irritation from the President's "frequent handshaking" and the use of aspirin.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump told reporters he didn't know about the claims he had died, but had heard the rumours around his health.

He insisted he had been "very active" over the weekend, following on from a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday night which read: "NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE."

Ms Leavitt also looked to dispel the rumours, saying the President is "perfectly fine and has a tremendous amount of energy".

She told CNN: "The made-up speculation online is crazy and baseless, and it's clearly being pushed by Democrat activists and left-wing lunatics."