I think the truth—for his aides—is worse than him being kaputt—or maybe stroked-out & comatose. The reality of him being embarrassingly very much still alive, but not fit for public appearances: I think THAT'S much more of a nightmare for them. They can't martyr him; they can only keep hiding him.

like what they are doing rn.... a quick thumbs up and then whisk him away...to the golf course

those reports that they're showing old footage as proof of life. that's so fucking weird. it doesn't necessarily mean that he's dead. it maybe just means that he isn't photogenic right now. Maybe they're just pretending that he's going golfing. which is why they whisk him by fast & post old photos.