# is the president gaining weight?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [March 17, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370 "2017-03-17T01:34:04Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/1 "2017-03-17T01:34:04Z")
I’m putting this in GQ because I want to keep it factual, or at least out of the pit, and I’d appreciate help with this.
I suspect the president almost \*has \*to be gaining weight given that
[he doesn’t exercise](http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/trump-files-donald-thinks-human-body-battery)
[loves fast food](http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-101-he-definitely-not-health-nut-n717331)
[doesn’t sleep much](http://people.com/bodies/donald-trump-sleeps-4-hours-a-night-and-doesnt-work-out/)
and just had the stress of a major life change. more than one, really, since the presidency is a new job \*and \*a new place to live. stress seems to have caused other presidents to go gray.
he doesn’t have to release any health information, apparently, and [photos](https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17352019_299924990420980_8050280552166522623_n.jpg?oh=92cc6b32bb73fd3832a422fc224535e3&oe=596F50EA) are subjective. but it sure looks like he is fatter.
we can measure the distance to the moon, or the sun, or the next galaxy, isn’t there a way to know if he is gaining weight?
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### Author:  [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/2 "2017-03-17T01:38:55Z")
Probably. By the end of his term his doctor may have to list him at 6’11" to avoid him being categorized as obese.
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### Author:  [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/3 "2017-03-17T01:46:35Z")
How has his eating and exercise habits changed since he took office? He is playing a lot of golf now, and he used to eat at fancy restaurants quite often in the past. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was gaining weight, but I didn’t consider him all that slim or fit before he became president.
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### Author:  [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/4 "2017-03-17T01:47:34Z")
As I recall, his doctor said he was in the best health possible - that no person alive could match his physical makeup, and all his tests came back A++++++.
So, he’s probably just putting on a huge amount of muscle, which just happens to make him look like he’s fat.
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### Author:  [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/5 "2017-03-17T02:18:42Z")
He’s been a tub of lard for years. He might be a bit lardier now, or he might not; it’s hardly material.
I do note that since his election he has been wearing his ties longer and longer; they’re practically down to his knees now. This may be an attempt to look taller, and therefore less fat. The orange spray-job may also be an attempt to distract attention from other physical characteristics.
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### Author:  [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/6 "2017-03-17T03:02:36Z")
It’s hard to tell if his hands are getting bigger…
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/7 "2017-03-17T04:23:53Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#):
>
> I’m putting this in GQ because I want to keep it factual, or at least out of the pit, and I’d appreciate help with this.
**Moderating**
Really, there’s no objective way to know this, and you know this thread is going to just be wisecracks and jabs anyway. Moving to IMHO.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/8 "2017-03-17T04:28:36Z")
He’s not overweight, he’s undertall.
Oh wait, wrong president.
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### Author:  [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/9 "2017-03-17T05:53:13Z")
I’m of the opinion that yes he is much bigger.
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### Author:  [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/10 "2017-03-17T06:16:16Z")
Good. Here’s hoping he has a stroke.
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### Author:  [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/11 "2017-03-17T06:27:41Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#):
>
> Good. Here’s hoping he has a stroke.
I don’t want him to drop dead or become seriously ill, but I do agree that he appears to be gaining weight.
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### Author:  [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/12 "2017-03-17T06:33:41Z")
> [@UDS](#):
>
> I do note that since his election he has been wearing his ties longer and longer; they’re practically down to his knees now. This may be an attempt to look taller, and therefore less fat. The orange spray-job may also be an attempt to distract attention from other physical characteristics.
Yeah he really should have the person who gave him that advice executed. He looks like a teenage boy going to his first jack and tie function with the length he sports. Of said teenage boy before his Dad fixes it for him.
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### Author:  [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/13 "2017-03-17T06:39:15Z")
> [@AK84](#):
>
> Yeah he really should have the person who gave him that advice executed. He looks like a teenage boy going to his first jack and tie function with the length he sports. Of said teenage boy before his Dad fixes it for him.
I doubt that he takes tailoring advice. He’s obviously a man who could afford a tailor, yet he wears suits that fit him like a crumpled paper bag and, as noted, ties that are in danger of tripping him up.
I’d say he displays a commendable indifference to such trivia as fashion and appearance, were it not for the fact that his hair-constructing and skin-colouring regime must consume many hours, and probably a selection of chemicals that are banned by the Geneva Conventions. So he’s a walking contradiction in this respect (as in so many others).
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### Author:  [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/14 "2017-03-17T06:43:52Z")
Can someone explain what’s with the Scotch tape on his ties? I have seen it in enough pictures to conclude that he always does it.
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### Author:  [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/15 "2017-03-17T06:51:37Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#):
>
> Can someone explain what’s with the Scotch tape on his ties? I have seen it in enough pictures to conclude that he always does it.
When you tie your tie so that the broad end hangs down unusually far, the corollary is the the narrow end rides unusually high. This may mean that it’s not hanging down far enough to pass through the fabric loop that would help to hold it flush with the longer half of the tie, or it only just passes through and will easily come out if the tie is disturbed by, e.g., a gust of wind, careering around a corner or an over-enthusiastic bout of cossack dancing. This leaves the short end flapping around independently of the long end. Social _ruin_, my dear!
To avoid this sartorial faux pas, Trump uses adhesive tape to stick the short end of the tie to the back of the longer end.
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### Author:  [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 7:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/16 "2017-03-17T07:50:37Z")
Of course not!
His gastroenterologist says he’s the healthiest man who ever existed, so that’s that.
Seriously though, judging from recent photos, to me he looks a bit drawn and haggard, as if he’s lost a few pounds.
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### Author:  [@ckalli1998](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ckalli1998)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 8:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/17 "2017-03-17T08:29:48Z")
To the OP: Trump certainly isn’t as fat as the man who sired you, so I’m thinking your worries are misplaced
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### Author:  [@Not\_Carlson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Not_Carlson)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/18 "2017-03-17T09:15:04Z")
> [@ckalli1998](#):
>
> To the OP: Trump certainly isn’t as fat as the man who sired you, so I’m thinking your worries are misplaced
In my humble opinion, that’s not a very humble opinion.
ETA:
Reported, and apologies for the junior modding.
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### Author:  [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/19 "2017-03-17T12:22:36Z")
**ckalli1998** You’re getting a warning for personal insults. Personal insults are only allowed in the pit.
> [@ckalli1998](#):
>
> To the OP: Trump certainly isn’t as fat as the man who sired you, so I’m thinking your worries are misplaced
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### Author:  [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)
#### Post date: [March 17, 2017, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-president-gaining-weight/782370/20 "2017-03-17T12:25:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Really, there’s no objective way to know this
:dubious:
it seems like there should be - I mean, when scientists told us how high Mount Everest was they weren’t using a tape measure.
also, I know there is a white house staff “alt” twitter account so maybe whoever dresses him has said something.
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