President Donald Trump underwent his annual physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre, a routine checkup that has garnered significant concern in the context of his age and history of opacity surrounding his health.
“I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” Trump, now 78 and the oldest president to be sworn into office, posted on Truth Social. Acknowledging the necessity of the examination, Trump said earlier in the week that “these things must be done.”
A History of Limited Disclosure: Questions Persist
No comprehensive glimpse into Trump’s health has been made publicly available since 2018. Most strikingly, during his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump did not provide any detailed medical documents, despite repeatedly assuring the public ahead of time. This has remained yet another mystery in an already puzzling case.
After the latest presidential physical examination, it is uncertain if the White House will issue a full, detailed update. Summaries of presidential physicals have, until recently, consisted of narratives of fitness rather than fully transparent releases of medical records.
The 2018 Evaluation: From A to E in Trump’s Health
Dr. Jackson, the White House’s physician in January of 2018, reported that the current president possessed “an excellent cardiovascular condition for his age.” This evaluation came following a near four-hour physical exam at Walter Reed, during which Dr. Jackson evaluated the president’s health concerns to be limited to routine hypercholesterolemia, rosacea skin condition, and being “overweight” according to his body mass index (BMI).
Specifically, Trump’s LDL cholesterol level was 143, and his total cholesterol level was 223, surpassing the suggested bounds. Furthermore, his BMI was estimated to be 29.9, which is right beneath the obesity classification. The 2018 report stated that he was taking rosuvastatin for his cholesterol, with the dosage increased due to his high levels. Additionally, he was on finasteride for hair loss, aspirin daily for heart disease prevention, a multivitamin, and ivermectin cream for rosacea.
In addition to this, Trump insisted on taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and according to the physician, Jackson, he scored a perfect 30 out of 30.
The 2020 COVID-19 Hospitalisation: A Moment of Concern
In October 2020, Trump was admitted to the hospital after getting infected with COVID-19. Mark Meadows, the chief of staff at the time, mentioned that Trump had a fever and his blood oxygen level was falling at a concerning rate. Breathing was said to be difficult for Trump, and he needed supplemental oxygen. He received treatment comprising an unapproved regimen of steroid drugs and monoclonal antibodies, and he returned to the White House after three days.
Post-First Term: A Brief Update from His Physician
The latest update concerning Trump’s health is from his first term and comes in the shape of a letter from his physician, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, who claims that Trump’s ‘overall health’ is ‘excellent.’ Trump’s physical exams, self-reported as “exceptional,” along with cognitive exams described the same way and “normal” laboratory analysis, were thought to stem from a decrease in his weight. He also reported normal cardiovascular studies and negative cancer screening tests, attributing Trump’s weight loss to “an improved diet and continued daily physical activity.”
Nonetheless, questions about the authenticity of his statements were raised on account of the Trump campaign not publishing the medical records that Jackson said he reviewed. Trump subsequently released another letter from Jackson where he described the ear injury and mentioned that Trump was recovering ‘as expected.’
“Continued Scrutiny: The Public’s Right to Know”
While Trump seeks to undergo another physical, the public remains anxious for a definitive understanding of his health. The Butler incident’s gaps alongside the heightened public interest since 2018 have generated a demand for more information, which this examination is sure to attract. Results of this latest assessment will likely face intense scrutiny given the context of the United States’ oldest sitting president.
