In current times, commenting on someone’s weight is considered rude and, at worst, “body-shaming.” Those rules of social convention apparently don’t apply when it comes to the President of the United States, who is now the subject of a “girther” conspiracy theory perpetuated by journalists and entertainers.
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Dr. Ronny Jackson spoke about President Trump’s “excellent” health. Despite the fact that Jackson said that Trump is in good health—particularly considering his age—some seized onto the mention of Trump’s height and weight to mock him for not being as lean as professional athletes.
Dan Clark, a sports writer for the Big Leagues Daily, felt it was appropriate to compare the stature of a 71-year-old to a professional baseball player:
Mike Trout is 6’2” & 235 pounds
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) January 17, 2018
Donald Trump is 6’3” & 239 pounds pic.twitter.com/pgdDfFMCQD
Dennis Perkins, who writes for the AV Club, compared Trump to a football player:
L: Vikings running back Latavius Murray. R: Donald Trump. Both listed officially at 6'3"/235 lbs. #Girther pic.twitter.com/nGEB0VdK33
— Dennis Perkins (@DennisPerkins5) January 16, 2018
Newsweek breaking news editor Gersh Kuntzman decided Trump’s height was fudged in order to put his weight out of the “obese” category:
For the record, @realDonaldTrump said he was 74 inches in 2012. Now his doctor says he's 75 inches. And that one inch makes is BMI "overweight" not "obese." I'm a #girther because old men don't GROW an inch! pic.twitter.com/ehNxF9PjPL
— Gersh Kuntzman (@GershKuntzman) January 16, 2018
James Gunn, the director for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, even offered $100 thousand dollars to charity of Trump would step on a scale for him:
I will give 100 thousand dollars to Trump's favorite charity if he will step on an accurate scale with an impartial medical professional, okayed by both of us. For real. #Girther #GirtherMovement
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 17, 2018
I would be afraid that it's the Ku Klux Klan but there's no way in hell he's 239 pounds, so I don't have to worry about it.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) January 17, 2018
When called out on mentioning Trump’s weight, Gunn said that he isn’t trying to shame Trump for his weight, but rather stop him from “fabricating facts.”
While many had a field day with talk of Trump’s size, some pointing out the doctor who performed the physical is the same doctor who performed former President Obama’s:
Doctor who was named the presidential physician by Obama in 2013 has just vouched for Trump's physical & cognitive health. May want to tamp down the 25th amendment talk.
— Philip Klein (@philipaklein) January 16, 2018
Yesterday: Everyone should respect the White House doctor, he took great care of the Obama administration.
— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) January 17, 2018
Today: The White House doctor is hiding something, Trump is actually about to die. https://t.co/7egjPSoKxq
Mic writer A.P. Joyce said the White House press pool engaged in “ableism and body shaming,” which are reportedly not ways to get Trump out of the White House:
Even after Jackson made clear that Trump’s health is relatively normal for a man his age, the press corps continued to pursue a line of questioning that bordered on ableism and body shaming.
For all of the talk about Trump’s physical and mental fitness, it appears that even an actual physical exam won’t be enough to appease the calls for him to be removed from office for being "unfit."