The 'girther movement' is the internet's newest conspiracy theory, claiming Trump's doctor is lying about the president's weight

Michal Kranz
Updated

  • The "girther movement" has erupted on Twitter, and is claiming President Donald Trump's doctor did not give Trump's true weight.

  • The movement has spawned comparisons between Trump and various athletes of similar weights and heights.

  • Director James Gunn has offered Trump charity money if he agrees to weigh himself again in front of an "impartial doctor."

  • At 239 pounds and a BMI of 29.9, Trump sits just below the obesity level.


People on Twitter are alleging a cover-up of President Donald Trump's true "girth."

Not long after Trump's doctor Ronny Jackson announced the president's weight at a press conference on Tuesday, Twitter erupted with a new conspiracy theory that claims the president weighs more than the 239 pounds Jackson reported. The "girther movement" is an apparent nod to the "birther movement" perpetuated by Trump himself over former President Barack Obama's birthplace.

MSNBC host Chris Hayes jumped on the "girther" conspiracy soon after Jackson's press conference.

"Guardians of the Galaxy" director James Gunn soon joined the bandwagon as well, making Trump a generous offer in exchange for weighing himself on an "accurate" scale.

Others soon began comparing Trump to professional athletes who have similar measurements to him, but lead much different lifestyles.

Sports Illustrated even wrote a whole piece comparing Trump's size to American athletes.

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Dr. Jackson joked that Trump must have "incredible genes" that allow him to eat McDonald's and drink twelve Diet Cokes a day but still stay in great shape.

But even if the weight Jackson gave was real, it would be inaccurate to put him in the same category as athletes of similar heights and weights — at 239 pounds with a body mass index of 29.9, Trump is just one pound shy of obesity, and his weight is mostly concentrated in fat rather than muscle. Trump's ability to narrowly avoid obesity was highly suspect for many #girthers.

The conspiracy is certainly an entertaining one to enjoy — but so far, there is no solid evidence that the weight Dr. Jackson gave is inaccurate.

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