On February 18, 2026, UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in Abu Dhabi, marking his first public appearance following rampant speculation about his health. This speculation was ignited by a now-deleted statement from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who postponed a visit to the UAE citing a 'health problem' of the Emirati leader. Graham, who met with Sheikh Mohamed for an hour and a half, firmly dismissed these rumors, stating, 'To those who are perpetuating false narratives against the United Arab Emirates and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed personally, you are full of it. Not only is he alive, but he is also well and as sharp as I've ever seen him,' according to Al Jazeera. This meeting was significant as it occurred amidst a growing rift between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which has intensified scrutiny on Abu Dhabi, particularly regarding its regional stability and leadership.