Donald Trump's face appeared to sag on Thursday as he delivered an announcement from the White House, according to observers on social media.
The president's right eye noticeably drooped as he responded to a journalist's question following his unveiling of changes to federal climate policy alongside Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin.
The incident has intensified ongoing speculation surrounding Trump's health. In recent months, the president has been spotted apparently falling asleep during White House meetings, photographed with bruising on his hand and displaying swollen ankles, all potentially indicative of deteriorating health.
Journalist Aaron Rupar posted on X: "Trump's face is noticeably drooping again today."
Addressing reporters in the Roosevelt Room, the president and Zeldin revealed they were scrapping the "endangerment finding."
Throughout the briefing, it was observed that the president's face appeared to be drooping.
The finding establishes a legal and scientific foundation for the federal government to regulate greenhouse gases, including Carbon Dioxide and Methane, and the quantities released into the Earth's atmosphere.
According to Zeldin, the decision represents the "largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States."
Established by the Obama administration in 2009, the findings offered direction to the federal government on reducing emissions to tackle climate change issues and mitigate the impact of heat waves, wildfires, droughts and flooding. The research additionally reveals that 20% of heat-trapping gases in the U.S. originate from exhaust systems on cars and lorries.
Aircraft and oil and gas installations represent other major sources of carbon emissions.
Through the Trump administration's abolition of these rules, a fundamental element of emissions control has been dismantled. CBS further reported that the move to scrap the regulations commenced last year, when Zeldin initially declared his plans to eliminate them.
President Trump has championed coal and its potential energy capacity. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt hailed the removal of the endangerment findings as "the most significant deregulatory actions in history to further unleash American energy dominance and drive down costs."
Trump's political adversaries have been swift to seize upon the president's health speculation, including California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom's press office account on X suggested that Trump is displaying early indicators of dementia.
"The sundowning starts earlier every day," the press office posted whilst sharing footage of Trump's slurred speech on Wednesday at the White House.
"I'm proud to officially name the undispuhhh - jusssss..." Trump began before suddenly stumbling over his words at the Champion of Coal event.
"When did this come out? Mr. Speaker?" Trump asked whilst attempting to recover but never completed his thought. Sundowning is a widespread symptom amongst dementia sufferers, describing how individuals with deteriorating cognitive abilities may display altered behaviour during late afternoon or as evening approaches.
The precise cause of why those living with dementia experience sundowning remains not entirely clear, though it's thought to stem from various factors, including dietary habits and adverse reactions to medication.
