Trump Declared in Great Health Following Medical Checkup
Washington D.C.: The White House released a statement on Sunday indicating that Donald Trump is in "excellent health" after undergoing his first annual medical examination since reclaiming the presidency.
At 78 years old, Trump, a member of the Republican party, has continuously praised his own vitality throughout his second term while casting doubts on the capabilities of his 82-year-old Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, whom he views as aging and mentally unfit for the role.
According to a letter from the presidential physician made available by the White House, "President Trump shows excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully capable of fulfilling the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
The report did mention a few minor irregularities, including some sun damage to Trump’s skin and scars on his right ear from a gunshot wound sustained during an assassination attempt last July.
Last year, a colonoscopy revealed that Trump suffers from diverticulosis—small pouches in the colon—along with a benign polyp. The medical team recommended a follow-up examination in three years.
Currently, Trump is taking four medications: two for managing cholesterol, aspirin for heart health, and a topical steroid cream. Overall, the report painted a positive picture of Trump’s health, applauding his "active lifestyle" and noting his "frequent wins in golf tournaments." The former president refrains from alcohol and tobacco, though he is known for his fondness for fast food and his preference for steaks cooked well-done. Interestingly, he appears slimmer than he did during his first term, with his current weight listed at 224 pounds (101.6 kg), down from 243 pounds in 2019.
Trump expressed on Friday that he felt he was "in very good shape" following his exam that day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center located in a suburb of Washington, D.C. He remarked to reporters aboard Air Force One, "I took a cognitive test. All I can say is that I got every answer correct."
Controversial Health Statements
Despite widespread public interest in the health of the nation’s leader, Trump has faced accusations of lacking transparency regarding his health status. The White House previously stated that Dr. Sean Barbabella, the presidential physician, would provide details about the examination and promised to release the full report.
However, in the past, both Trump’s personal and presidential doctors have made exaggerated claims about his well-being. During his first presidential campaign in 2015, Trump’s physician, Harold Bornstein, issued a statement claiming that Trump "will unequivocally be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency." Bornstein later clarified to CNN that Trump had dictated that letter himself.
In 2018, another doctor, Ronny Jackson, claimed that Trump could "live to be 200 years old" with a healthier diet. Jackson’s subsequent report indicated that Trump should work on losing 10 to 15 pounds but still categorized him as being in "excellent health" with no cognitive decline detected.
By 2019, an examination noted that Trump weighed 243 pounds, an increase from the time he took office, classifying him as technically obese.
Age became a significant topic during the lead-up to the 2024 election, with Trump and Biden representing the oldest presidential candidates in U.S. history. Biden had to withdraw from the race after a notably weak performance in a televised debate against Trump in June, which raised issues concerning his mental fitness to serve.
