Donald Trump's physician has declared the US president in 'excellent health' and 'fully fit' to serve following a medical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre. A report from Dr Sean Barbabella indicated that Trump underwent a CT scan, heart imaging, cancer screenings, and other preventative assessments conducted by 22 specialists. The 79-year-old president stated after the three-hour visit on Tuesday that everything checked out 'PERFECTLY'.
Oddly enough, the President boasted about the 'difficult cognitive test' he took, which was actually the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a screening tool for dementia and cognitive impairment. On Truth Social, Trump wrote: 'Unlike other U.S. Presidents, none of whom have ever taken an approved, high difficulty, Cognitive Test, I scored a perfect 30 out of 30, considered “extreme intelligence.” In fact, this is my fourth such test, all PERFECT or 120 correct answers out of 120 questions asked! It is very rare that anyone gets a Perfect Score, especially when achieved four times in a row.'
Despite acing the test, experts have expressed concern. Dr Jonathan Reiner, Professor of Medicine and Surgery and CNN Medical Analyst, questioned why Trump took the dementia test again after already having taken it three times previously. On X, Dr Reiner wrote: 'Why did the president have another coronary artery CT? He was last scanned in October. We don’t typically scan patients 6 months later unless we are concerned about a finding on the initial scan. Also, why was the president again given a MOCA dementia screening test? He’s had 3 in the recent past.'
In other health news, Trump weighed in at 238 pounds, a 14-pound weight gain since April 2025. His doctors provided guidance on diet, physical activity, and weight loss, but concluded that his 'cognitive and physical performance are excellent.' Trump has a body mass index of 29.7, just 0.3 away from being classified as obese. The report also documented bruising on Trump's hands, explained as 'minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking' and described as 'a common and benign effect of aspirin therapy.' Among the recommendations was a switch to low-dose aspirin.
Last year, the White House disclosed that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a fairly common condition in older adults that causes blood to pool in the legs. The latest exam noted slight lower leg swelling but indicated 'improvement from last year.' His doctor reported nothing abnormal, stating that Trump demonstrated strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall health. 'His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being,' Dr Barbabella wrote.
The exam, which Trump described as a six-month physical, was his fourth publicly disclosed medical exam since he returned to office for a second term. It comes as he tries to project strength ahead of the midterm elections. Past administrations have also released selected results from presidential physicals, offering the public a glimpse at the commander in chief's health. However, there is no law requiring presidents to disclose their full health records, and the degree of transparency has varied by administration. Trump's past reports have been criticized for offering scant detail and for providing statistics that some medical experts have viewed with skepticism.
The US leader turns 80 next month and was the oldest person elected US president. His immediate predecessor, President Joe Biden, a Democrat, was 82 when he left office, dropping out of the 2024 presidential race due to widespread concerns about his age. Trump has tried to fend off public concern over his own age and stamina. The president often appears with makeup covering bruises on his hands, and photographs have shown him with swollen feet, ankles, and calves. He has recently talked about how good he feels, even as he jokes about his fondness for fast food and minimal exercise beyond frequent golf outings.
