Donald Trump set to make special announcement at the White House today

Donald Trump is set to make a special presidential announcement in the Oval Office today as speculation mounts over what his address will be about.

Rumours began swirling on social media early on Tuesday after an entry appeared on the White House's daily schedule which read: "The President makes an announcement". The surprise address is set to take place at 2pm local time (7pm BST), but so far there has been no further detail given on what he will be speaking about.

It comes after 79-year-old Trump hit back following days of speculation about his health, after photographs showed mysterious dark bruises on the back of his hand. In a brief Truth Social post on Sunday evening, he wrote: "NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE."

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Some political commentators have suggested that his announcement today is likely to be about the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, following their recent stationing in Washington DC.

On Sunday, Trump warned he may deploy the state-based military force to the US's third-biggest city after eight people were killed over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

In a direct warning to Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, he wrote on Truth Social: "He better straighten it out, fast, or we're coming!"

Donald Trump has also stepped up threats against Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, after accusing the nation of being a drug-trafficking threat to the US - leading to rumours he could be about to mount an invasion.

In recent days, the US Navy has positioned two Aegis guided-missile destroyers, the USS Gravely and the USS Jason Dunham, in the Caribbean, along with the destroyer USS Sampson and cruiser USS Lake Erie in the seas off Latin America.

Responding to the ramping up of military activity, Mr Maduro claimed he had put his country on high alert, and said at the weekend: "In the face of this maximum military pressure, we have declared maximum preparedness for the defence of Venezuela."

Rumours about Trump's health

In recent days, speculation has also grown over Donald Trump's health after images surfaced showing significant bruising on the president's right handwhile he signed two executive orders in the Oval Office.

The White House had previously attributed the bruising to his regular handshaking with world leaders and routine use of "aspirin therapy" to prevent cardiovascular problems.