Latest White House announcement sends internet into overdrive over Donald Trump

The internet is ablaze with unsubstantiated rumours surrounding Donald Trump, with the White House's latest announcement adding fuel to the fire.

There is growing speculation on social media that Trump is to resign from his position as the President of the United States of America, or even that he is dead.

Absolutely no discernible proof or significant reporting is accompanied by these whispers, and Trump was even photographed in the Rose Garden on September 2 giving a speech.

But some have taken the fact that Vice President JD Vance will host a press briefing on Thursday, September 3, as evidence that something is afoot..

The White House's official press office X account posted on Wednesday, quoting their own previous post of a single eyes emoji: "Vice President @JDVance will take the podium tomorrow at 1:00PM."

While the post may have sent the internet into overdrive, not helped by the fact that it's the first briefing since July 23, the announcement has no significance to Trump one way or the other.

JD Vance press briefing explained

Some speculators may take Vance stepping up to the famous navy podium as a sign that he is replacing Trump, but that is not the case as the president does not usually conduct such press briefings.

Instead, the conferences are usually the duties of the White House press secretary.

That role had been filled by Karoline Leavitt since January 20, 2025, but she left the position on August 27, 2026, to take up a role with Trump's MAGA Inc. super PAC, where she will continue to advise the president.

Leavitt hosted the last briefing on July 23 after she returned from a two-and-a-half month stint of maternity leave following the birth to her second child with husband Nicholas Riccio.

There hasn't been a briefing in the 42 days since, but while Leavitt was on maternity leave, a host of other White House officials took to the podium.

Vance was among them, as were Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

So, Vance holding the briefing instead of Trump is no indication that the 80-year-old is about to leave office.

In fact, Vance will be the Trump administration's lead public messenger until a replacement for Leavitt is brought in.

It's a competitive hiring process, with The Hill reporting that Trump told media in August: "I have never seen so many job applications in my life."

It's not clear when a replacement will be chosen, with Leavitt saying in her final briefing that Trump is “his own best spokesperson.”

However, Vance stepping up to the plate in the meantime comes as he's a leading candidate, along with Rubio, in early polling for GOP presidential contenders in 2028, when Trump's second term comes to an end.

Vance gave his last briefing on June 18.