President Donald Trump on Tuesday (Sept 1) denied unfounded rumours that a series of mini-strokes were behind an unscheduled hospital visit the previous year, calling the claims "fake news."
Trump made the surprise visit to Walter Reed Medical Centre in November.
The fact that it was not scheduled, a departure from established protocols, had ignited speculation of a serious health issuethough the White House insisted he was recently doing parts of his annual health exam ahead of time.
However, CNN reported on Tuesday that a new book by a New York Times journalist claims VP Mike Pence was put "on standby to take over the powers of the presidency temporarily" if Trump had to undergo anaesthesia during the visit.
CNN, which obtained a copy of the as-yet-unreleased book by Michael Schmidt, said the author did not specify the sourcing for the claim.
If true, it raises fresh questions concerning the visit.
The report quickly ignited claims on social mediamade without any evidencethat Trump had suffered a stroke and had to be rushed to hospital, prompting the president to take to Twitter on Tuesday.
"It never ends! Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidateFAKE NEWS," Trump tweeted.
In what appeared to be a dig at the man challenging him for the presidency in November, Joe Biden, he added: "Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!"
It never ends! Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidateFAKE NEWS. Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2020
Trump's personal physician Sean Conleywho insisted the previous year the visit was nothing seriousalso issued a new statement rebuffing the speculation.
"I can confirm that President Trump has not experienced nor been evaluated for a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), transient ischemic attack (mini stroke), or any acute cardiovascular emergencies, as have been incorrectly reported in the media," Conley wrote.
"The president remains healthy and I've no concerns about his ability to maintain the rigorous schedule ahead of him. As stated in my last report, I expect him to remain fit to execute the duties of the presidency."