Rep. Ted Lieu on Wednesday suggested President Donald Trump’s abrupt cancellation of a planned bipartisan housing bill signing could be linked to health issues, prompting a sharp rebuke from the White House.
Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat, on June 24 raised questions about President Donald Trump’s health after Trump called off a planned signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill at the U.S. Capitol.
During remarks carried by C-SPAN, Lieu speculated that Trump may be experiencing medical problems, citing what he described as the president’s difficulty staying awake at events and swelling in his hands. Lieu also pointed to recent reporting that an unnamed “high-profile” 79-year-old had received access to an Eli Lilly drug through the Food and Drug Administration’s “expanded access” (sometimes called compassionate use) pathway, and he questioned whether Trump was the recipient.
Trump announced the cancellation in a Truth Social post, saying the “Housing News Conference and Signing” would not happen until Congress passed the SAVE AMERICA ACT, which he described as a “National Emergency.” In a separate post earlier that day, Trump criticized the housing bill and singled out Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s involvement, calling the measure “of minor importance” compared with his voting-related legislation.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung responded on X with an insult directed at Lieu, dismissing the congressman’s suggestion as a lie.
The housing legislation had recently cleared the Senate and House with broad bipartisan support and was awaiting Trump’s signature before the planned Capitol event was canceled.
