WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump is reported to be in “exceptional health,” according to a statement from his physician following a checkup that included lab tests and various assessments at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
During his visit at the Maryland facility, which lasted about three hours, Trump received a routine evaluation, described by his doctor, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, as a key part of his ongoing health maintenance plan. Trump also received his annual flu shot and a Covid-19 booster during this appointment.
“President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, demonstrating strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance,” wrote Barbabella in a memo made public by the White House late Friday. This evaluation was aimed at preparing Trump for upcoming foreign trips and included advanced imaging, blood tests, and preventive assessments.
The president is scheduled to travel to the Middle East this weekend and will head to Asia later this month.
Additionally, Barbabella reported that Trump’s cardiac age is approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. Trump, who is 79, became the oldest individual to assume the presidency when he took office.
This week, the White House initially characterized Trump’s visit to Walter Reed as a “routine yearly checkup,” although he had already completed his annual physical in April. Trump later referred to it as a “semiannual physical.”
During the April assessment, he was declared “fully fit” for his duties as commander in chief. The summary from that exam indicated he had lost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) since a medical assessment in June 2020, with his active lifestyle contributing significantly to his well-being, according to Barbabella.
In July, after observing “mild swelling” in his lower legs, the White House revealed that Trump had undergone a medical check-up and was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults that causes blood to pool in veins. Tests conducted by the White House medical team confirmed the diagnosis.
As part of his April physical, Trump also successfully completed a brief screening designed to evaluate various cognitive functions.
Presidents retain significant discretion over the healthcare information they choose to share with the public. The summary from Trump’s April examination included results regarding his weight, body mass index, medical history, mental health assessments, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure.
Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt addressed the results of Trump’s chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis during a press briefing, stating that the White House aimed to clarify rumors regarding the president’s health. At that time, Trump had been seen with bruises on his hand.
The Republican president has also wielded health as a political tool, consistently questioning the mental and physical fitness of his Democratic predecessor, President Joe Biden, while highlighting his own cognitive testing that Biden had not undergone.
Biden has dismissed these critiques, asserting his fitness for office, though he withdrew from the 2024 election following a contentious debate with Trump, which raised concerns about his capability to serve.
— Seung Min Kim
