Trump sparks new health fears as he bizarrely claims planes 'didn't exist' in 1999

US President Donald Trump has once again ignited health controversy after telling a crowd that planes didnt exist in his late father Freds day - despite aviation beginning in 1903

14:56, 29 Jul 2026

[Screenshots shared on X of Trump's bizarre airplane rant]

Screenshots shared on X of Trump's bizarre airplane rant(Image: @EdKrassen/X)

US President Donald Trump has sparked more health fears after claiming planes didnt exist during his late fathers lifetime - despite Fred Trump living right up until 1999.

The viral moment came during a speech on Monday (July 27) at a General Motors vehicle-testing facility in Milford, Michigan, USA, where Trump was addressing auto workers and executives. While praising American car makers, he drifted into a story about his father as he tried to make a point about what luxury meant in the Trump household.

Trump told the crowd: I had a wonderful father, right, and he was a hard worker who was in the real estate business...He didnt want planes.

[US President Donald Trump has sparked more health fears]

US President Donald Trump has sparked more health fears(Image: @EdKrassen/X)

They didnt have planes in those days, I dont think. He then pivoted back to his real point; that his dads idea of super luxury was buying a new Cadillac every two years, not owning private aircraft.

Moments later, Trump even nodded to his famously rambling style, telling the audience: Just to mention, you know, its called the weave, right? I go from one - we always get back to the right subject.

But the planes line instantly exploded online. Commentator Ed Krassenstein posted on X (formerly known as Twitter): BREAKING: Trump claims that airplanes didnt exist when his father was alive.

[The viral moment came during a speech on Monday (July 27) ]

The viral moment came during a speech on Monday (July 27) (Image: @EdKrassen/X)

"Fred Trump was born in 1905 and died in 1999. Critics were quick to point out the basic history: the Wright brothers made the first powered flight in 1903 - before Fred Trump was even born.

Aviation didnt just exist during Fred Trumps life, it dominated it, spanning World War II air warfare, the rise of commercial jet travel and even Concorde. Others piled on with more detail, noting the first commercial flight was a 17-mile hop from Tampa to St Petersburg in 1914 - when Fred Trump was nine.

One furious post read: Facts are stubborn things. The backlash also fuelled darker jabs about Trumps mental sharpness.

One user wrote: Senility has a MAGA voice, while another claimed: He clearly inherited his fathers Alzheimers gene. A separate commenter accused him of bluffing, asking: Do narcissists lie because they believe that people just take what they say as the truth without checking?

Article continues below

Despite the rumours and constant speculations online, Trump has no official diagnosis of dementia, but with the former President now 80, his mental sharpness has become a constant talking point in US politics. Born on June 14, 1946, his health is often framed as a tug-of-war between glowing official assessments and a chorus of outside critics questioning what they see and hear in public.

[]

Join Gold Star!

Gold Star is the latest chapter in the evolution of the Daily Star. Our premium digital service has launched, offering you even more of our brilliant journalism but with even fewer adverts.

And if you do, this is what youll get:

- A new ad-lite subscription service offering unlimited access to Gold Star and our app, as well as a cleaner viewing experience with far fewer ads

- Access to exclusive subscriber-only articles crafted specifically for readers who want their stories to dig a little deeper. This will include unique insight from our writers alongside thought-provoking comment

- Bespoke special offers, rewards and competitions from our partners

- Access our Gold Nuggets, the juiciest picks from the Daily Star - no digging required!

- The most fun you can have with a daily news brand anywhere in the world!

Membership starts at 1.99 a month or 12 for the year. These are both Gold Star launch offers for the next 12 months so make sure you dont miss out.

Click on this article to subscribe

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.