Donald Trump underwent his annual medical examination on Friday, an event that holds significance as it may provide the public with the first detailed insights into the health of the former president, who at 78 years old, made history in January as the oldest person to be sworn in as President of the United States. Prior to the examination, Trump took to his social media platform to express his optimism, stating, “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!”
The examination took place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. While the exact duration of the examination was not disclosed, Trump spent over five hours at the facility before departing for Florida aboard Air Force One for the weekend. Despite frequently questioning the physical and mental fitness of his predecessor, Joe Biden, Trump has maintained a level of secrecy regarding his own health, often deviating from the traditional presidential norm of transparency concerning medical issues.
Historically, Trump's medical reports have tended to be flattering yet lacking in specific details. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt assured that the public would receive a “readout from the White House physician” promptly, indicating that the report would be thorough. “I can confirm the president is in very good shape,” Leavitt stated, adding that the examination did not require Trump to be placed under anesthesia.
During his first term in 2018, a White House doctor remarked that while Trump was in overall excellent health, he should consider losing weight and adopting a daily exercise routine. This upcoming medical report will be the first substantial update on Trump's health since a reported assassination attempt against him in Butler, Pennsylvania, in July. At that time, rather than releasing comprehensive medical records, Texas representative Ronny Jackson, a noted Trump supporter, issued a memo describing a gunshot wound to Trump's right ear.
Though Trump is three years younger than Biden, he was five months older than Biden during his second inauguration in January, thus making him the oldest president to assume office. While presidents have the right to privacy regarding their medical records, this allows them discretion over what health details are shared with the public. Annual physical exams have historically played a vital role in giving the American public insight into the health of their commander-in-chief, despite instances of significant medical issues being concealed, such as President Woodrow Wilson's stroke in 1919.
Trump has consistently opted for limited disclosure about his health status. The last noteworthy medical details available to the public were released in November 2022, when Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald issued a letter in conjunction with Biden's 81st birthday, asserting that Trump was in “excellent” physical and mental health. However, this letter did not provide essential information such as Trump's weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or results from any medical tests.
Instead, Aronwald's letter indicated that Trump's physical exams were within normal ranges and his cognitive tests were exceptional, also noting a reduction in Trump's weight. One of Trump's most notable moments regarding his health occurred during a television interview in July 2020, where he claimed that reciting “Person. Woman. Man. Camera. TV” demonstrated his mental acuity and was part of a cognitive test that he reportedly excelled in.
As the public awaits the results of Trump's latest medical examination, the focus remains on the transparency of health disclosures and the implications for a leader who has historically kept such information closely guarded.
