At a high-profile U.S. Open tennis match in New York, all eyes were on President Donald Trump—not for his commentary on the game, but for a peculiar blue object spotted in his mouth.
A photograph of the 79-year-old president biting down on something blue quickly went viral, leaving fans and critics alike speculating about what it could be.
White House Clarifies It’s Just a Mint
The Daily Mail confirmed with a White House official that the mysterious blue item was nothing more than a mint.
“It was a mint,” the official said when asked about the viral photo.
Trump was attending the match between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, and the photo captured him smirking while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt sat right behind him.
Security Delays and the Presidential Presence
Trump’s presence at the elite sporting event caused minor delays in the match due to security protocols.
Photographer Andres Kudacki snapped the image, noting the president’s discreet demeanor despite the attention.
“I was waiting for some reaction from him; he’s a big personality,” Kudacki told the Daily Beast.
“He was very discreet.”
Online Speculation Runs Wild
Once the image circulated on social media, speculation exploded.
Users on X suggested the blue object could be anything from a prescription pill to a Viagra joke.
Others theorized it might be a blue-colored Altoids mint or even a blue square-shaped Hygroton pill used for blood pressure and edema.
X’s AI assistant GROK summarized the theories, stating: “Speculation includes a mint (like blue Wintergreen Altoids) or a pill like Hygroton (for blood pressure/edema).
No official confirmation exists, and the photographer admitted uncertainty.”
Supporters Push the Mint Explanation
Trump supporters were quick to defend the simple explanation.
Conservative X user Lorrie Ann pointed out that the small, light blue, rectangular shape closely resembled Altoids Smalls Sugar-Free Wintergreen mints.
“It’s very possible—and even likely—that the object in the photo is a mint rather than a prescription pill,” she wrote.
Recent Health Concerns Add Fuel to the Fire
The viral image came amid ongoing public curiosity about Trump’s health.
Recent weeks saw the president photographed with bruised hands, swollen ankles, and other visible signs that sparked speculation.
Last month, Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency—a common condition for people over 70.
She explained that the hand bruising was “consistent” with frequent handshakes and aspirin use.
In July, Trump’s swollen ankles were noticeable at public events.
Some critics jumped to the conclusion that he might be seriously ill, though Trump spent a few days away from public events playing golf with family, rather than in the hospital.
Fact vs. Speculation
Ultimately, the “blue pill” mystery seems solved: it was most likely just a mint.
But the viral photo highlights how quickly online speculation can escalate when the president’s health is involved, even at a simple tennis match.