White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday for a scheduled meeting with troops, where he will also undergo his “routine yearly check up.” However, this “yearly” checkup comes just six months after his last one, raising questions about his health.
Despite attempts by Trump and the White House to address these concerns, questions persist about his fitness and ability to govern, fueled by instances of apparent , , and . A recent YouGov survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Trump’s health and age are impacting his ability to govern, with 49% suggesting he is experiencing cognitive and physical decline.
These concerns arise after the 79-year-old Trump campaigned against President Joe Biden last year, focusing on concerns about Biden’s age and fitness. Trump, at 78 years and seven months during his second inauguration in January, became the oldest person to assume the presidency, surpassing Biden’s age at his 2021 inauguration by five months.
Second annual physical this year
While the White House is calling the visit a “routine yearly” assessment, Trump already had a checkup on April 11. Before that, Trump mentioned on Truth Social that he was about to undergo a “long scheduled Annual Physical Examination,” the first of his second term, stating: “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!”
The physical, conducted by White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella, included lab work and cognitive tests. It showed that despite a history of controlled high cholesterol, diverticulosis (small pockets in the colon), and skin conditions, Trump remained in “excellent health” and is “fully fit” to perform his duties.
However, this positive assessment didn’t stop rumors about Trump’s health.
In the summer, the White House revealed Trump was diagnosed with , a non-life-threatening blood vessel condition that could lead to complications if untreated. However, Barbabella stated that “no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were identified.” He also attributed Trump’s bruises to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.”
It’s unclear why Trump is having another physical. Historically, presidents have been secretive about their health, often concealing potential concerns. The White House has not yet responded to TIME’s request for comment.
A history of hiding medical records
Trump’s upcoming checkup doesn’t guarantee more transparency about his health. Presidents have a history of undergoing annual exams and selectively releasing the results.
Presidents aren’t required to disclose their health status, and there are no clear, legally mandated guidelines on which health and fitness markers should be tested and shared with the public. Trump’s April health report was the first comprehensive report on his health , although there were sporadic in previous years. During his campaign, Trump despite demands to release them.
Adding to the issue, revealed that a glowing health assessment from before his 2016 election was actually dictated by Trump himself.
Trump, who , has frequently boasted about his health despite his age. “I feel the same or better than I did 30 years ago,” he on Monday when asked how he was “holding up” given his hard work.
“But let’s not even talk about it because who knows,” Trump added. “Who knows? Life is complex.”
