President Donald Trump underwent an annual medical exam at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Tuesday, putting his health under renewed public scrutiny. The 79-year-old president faces concerns about his age and stamina ahead of midterm elections that will test his sway with voters.
Key Takeaways
President Donald Trump underwent an annual medical exam at Walter Reed Hospital amid growing public scrutiny over his health. At 79, concerns about his age and stamina have intensified ahead of midterm elections.
- Trump arrived at Walter Reed for a routine physical checkup, his fourth since returning to office.
- White House attributes mysterious bruises on his hands to handshaking and aspirin use.
- Recent polls show declining confidence in Trump's mental sharpness and physical health.
- Medical experts have expressed concerns about Trump's cognitive decline and fitness to serve.
The White House described the visit as a routine preventative medical and dental checkup, Trump's fourth publicly disclosed exam since returning to office for a second term. The trip marks the third time in 13 months that he has traveled to the medical facility. His first physical of this term took place in April 2025, followed by a 'scheduled follow-up' in October.
Trump turns 80 next month and was the oldest person elected U.S. president. His predecessor, former President Joe Biden, was 82 when he left office, dropping out of the 2024 presidential race due to widespread concerns about his age. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll conducted in April found that less than half of U.S. adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively as president.
The White House has not disclosed what the visit will entail but expressed confidence in the results. 'President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health,' White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement.
In recent months, Trump has been seen wearing makeup to conceal bruising on his hands. The White House attributes the bruising to handshaking and regular aspirin use. He has also appeared drowsy during meetings but denies having fallen asleep. Critics have pointed to his meandering speeches and sometimes bellicose rhetoric as evidence of cognitive decline.
Last month, a statement from more than 30 neurologists, psychiatrists, and other medical experts said Trump was mentally unfit to serve. They warned of an 'increasingly dangerous decline' in his behavior based on what they called 'objectively observable signs of serious medical concern.'
Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician for more than a decade under former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton, said concern for the president's physical health is at an all-time high. For a president of Trump's age, a complete physical would be expected to include advanced heart testing, screening for common cancers, and a cognitive assessment.
During Friday's campaign rally in New York, Trump recounted his experience acing a cognitive test during last year's physical. 'And don't you want to have a smart person as President?' Trump asked. 'I said, doctor, I don't mind being called a brilliant total tyrant dictator, but I don't want to be called dumb. What do I do, doctor? Is there some kind of test I can take?' Trump scored a 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment during last year's physical.
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