In a recent interview, President Trump clarified that he underwent a CT scan rather than an MRI during his examination at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October. He expressed some regret about the procedure, stating it might have been better if he had not undergone the scan at all. "In retrospect, it's too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition," he remarked in a discussion with The Wall Street Journal published on Thursday. He further explained, "I would have been a lot better off if they didn't, because the fact that I took it said, 'Oh gee, is something wrong?' Well, nothing's wrong."
Earlier in October, President Trump had informed reporters about an MRI that yielded "perfect results." However, the White House later clarified that a CT scan was actually performed to assess his cardiovascular and abdominal health. This was confirmed by President Trump's physician, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, in a statement to CBS News.
CT scans and MRIs are widely used imaging tests that allow healthcare professionals to visualize the body's interior and diagnose various medical conditions. CT scans utilize a series of X-ray images to produce three-dimensional views, which can be particularly effective in identifying issues such as blood clots. Conversely, MRIs take longer and employ magnetic and radio waves to generate detailed images of organs and soft tissues, often providing greater clarity than CT scans.
According to Captain Barbabella, President Trump agreed to meet with staff and soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Hospital during his visit in October. To maximize the president's time at the facility, medical staff recommended a routine physical evaluation to ensure his ongoing health. As part of this assessment, the president was asked to undergo advanced imaging—either an MRI or a CT scan—to definitively rule out any cardiovascular concerns. Ultimately, the procedure chosen was the CT scan, which revealed no abnormalities.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that both the White House and President Trump’s medical team have consistently maintained that he underwent advanced imaging. In her statement, she noted that the president has shown unprecedented transparency regarding his health, in stark contrast to former President Joe Biden, who she accused of avoiding the press and misrepresenting his health status.
During his conversation with the Journal, President Trump also discussed his ongoing use of aspirin, which he has taken as a blood thinner for over two decades. He stated, "I'm a little superstitious. They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"
At 79 years old, President Trump does not particularly favor traditional exercise, apart from his passion for golf. He remarked, "I just don't like [exercise]. It's boring. To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that's not for me."
Over the summer, the White House disclosed that President Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a benign and common vein condition that causes swelling in the legs. Captain Barbabella confirmed that the examination did not indicate any severe conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. It is worth noting that the president has occasionally shown visible bruises on his hands, which the White House attributes to frequent handshaking.