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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Entertainment
Jacob Furedi

Hillary Clinton dismisses claims of ill health on Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance

Hillary Clinton has dismissed claims she is suffering from poor health, during an appearance on US chat show Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

The Democratic presidential nominee jokingly asked Kimmel to check her pulse, while the host responded by insisting she demonstrate her vitality by opening a jar of pickles. 

Since securing the Democratic Party nomination, Ms Clinton’s opponents have sought to raise questions about her health.

CNN dubbed those worried about Ms Clinton’s condition “healthers”, an allusion to the “birthers” who doubt US President Barack Obama was born in the USA.

Conservative blogs in the US have spread rumours suggesting she is physically unfit to be President, while Fox News has run a number of segments suggesting she may suffer from seizures.

FactCheck.org has also pointed out a number of false medical records purporting to show Ms Clinton suffers from seizures and dementia have been circulated on Twitter. 

Despite being two years older, Republican nominee Donald Trump has also implied his opponent suffers from poor health. 

In a recent speech, he stated: she “lacks the mental and physical stamina to take on Isis and all of the many adversaries we face, not only in terrorism, but in trade, and every other challenge we must confront to turn our great country around."

Most recently, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani encouraged voters to "go online and put down 'Hillary Clinton illness'. Take a look at the videos for yourself".

In response, the Clinton campaign team criticised Mr Trump for promoting “deranged conspiracy theories”, while Dr Bardack, Ms Clinton’s personal physician, emphasised: “Secretary Clinton is in excellent health and fit to serve as president of the United States”.

On her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Ms Clinton joked: “Back in October, The National Enquirer said I would be dead in six months, so with every breath I take I feel like I have a new lease on life.”

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