What was the Pentagon Pizza Index when rumors of Trump's death spread?

A sudden surge in pizza deliveries near the Pentagon and other key government sites over the weekend has drawn attention from both national security observers and the public, sparking speculation about what might be happening behind closed doors.

The Pentagon Pizza Index reported a notable rise in orders from August 27 to 29, 2025, with restaurants including Freddies Beach Bar, Domino’s Pizza, District Pizza Palace, and Crystal City Sports Pub seeing unusually high traffic.

Freddies Beach Bar is reporting above average traffic.

Pizzerias nearby the Pentagon are currently mixed, ranging between below average to above average.

As of 7:36pm ET pic.twitter.com/X8MVjCUhar

— Pentagon Pizza Report (@PenPizzaReport) August 29, 2025

Pizzato Pizza alone recorded a 303 percent increase, according to The Hindustan Times. Social media users likened the spike to a “DEFCON 1” alert, suggesting heightened activity or vigilance around government agencies. While the precise cause of the surge remains unconfirmed, the pattern is rare and historically noteworthy.

- Coinciding with Trump’s public return -

The spike occurred the same weekend that President Donald Trump, 79, broke a three-day absence from public engagements.

CNN reported that Trump was seen boarding a motorcade on the White House’s south lawn with his grandchildren, heading to Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia. He wore a white polo shirt, black trousers, and his signature red “Make America Great Again” hat.

Read more: "HES DEAD": Trump is trending… but is he really gone?

Speculation about the president’s health intensified when Vice President J.D. Vance hinted at readiness to assume presidential duties should a “terrible tragedy” occur.

White House sources and Trump’s physician reassured the public that the president’s health concerns were minor and did not prevent him from playing golf.

Whether the rise in pizza orders was related to Trump’s reemergence or merely coincidental is unclear.

- What is the Pentagon Pizza Index? -

The Pentagon Pizza Index is an open-source intelligence tool that tracks spikes in late-night pizza deliveries near US government buildings. The concept dates back to the Cold War, when sudden increases in orders reportedly signaled long working hours or potential military action.

Read more: How to use pizza to predict major global events

Historically, the index has coincided with major global events. Notable spikes preceded the 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and more recent Middle East conflicts involving 'Israel' and Iran.

The website aims to detect possible national security developments by monitoring consumption patterns of fast, convenient food among staff working extended hours.

- Recent trends and caution -

Analysts note that the late August 2025 spike overlaps with speculation around US government activity but lacks confirmed ties to a specific event. Experts caution that the Pentagon Pizza Index should be seen as a heuristic rather than a precise predictor.

“Whether linked or coincidental, the data adds a layer to the ongoing public conversation about national events and the president’s health,” the report notes, emphasizing that official disclosure remains the ultimate source of confirmation.