President Trump's Health: A Comprehensive Overview
President Donald Trump, who will turn 80 on June 14, has undergone multiple medical examinations at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center over the past 13 months. Reports from the White House physician state he remains in "excellent health" and is "fully fit" to carry out presidential duties. Public observations and opinion polls have raised questions about the president's health and mental capacity, which the White House has addressed through official statements and medical disclosures.
Medical Examinations Timeline
President Trump has completed at least four publicly disclosed medical exams since beginning his second term. His most recent visit to Walter Reed on May 26, 2026, lasted over three hours and included preventive medical and dental checkups, according to the White House.
Previous visits include:
- April 2025: Annual physical exam
- October 2025: Scheduled follow-up visit and CT scan
- December 2025: CT scan to assess cardiovascular and abdominal health
Physician's Assessment
Dr. Sean Barbabella, the White House physician, released a report following the May 2026 examination stating that President Trump "remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function." The report concluded that the president is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
Physical Vitals (May 2026)
Measurement Value Height 6 feet 3 inches (190.5 cm) Weight 238 pounds (108 kg), up from 224 pounds (102 kg) in April 2025 Body Mass Index 29.7 (obesity threshold: 30) Resting Heart Rate 73 bpm Blood Pressure 105/71 mmHg Pulse Oximetry 98% on room air Temperature 37°CCognitive and Diagnostic Testing
President Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), unchanged from previous years. A comprehensive neurological exam showed normal mental status, cranial nerves, motor strength, sensation, reflexes, gait, and balance. An AI-enhanced electrocardiogram estimated his cardiac age to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age.
Tests included a CT scan, heart imaging, cancer screenings, cholesterol panels, and assessments by 22 specialists.
Cholesterol Levels
Total cholesterol measured 143, down from 223 in 2018. President Trump takes rosuvastatin and ezetimibe for cholesterol management.
Medical Conditions and Observations
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
In July 2025, following observations of swollen ankles in photographs, President Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. Dr. Barbabella described this as a "benign and common" condition in older individuals, involving leg veins failing to return blood effectively to the heart. The White House stated his cardiovascular health remained "excellent." The May 2026 report noted "slight lower leg swelling with improvement from last year."
President Trump reported briefly using compression socks but found them uncomfortable and discontinued their use. He stated that increasing his movement by getting up more regularly from his desk has improved the leg swelling.
Hand Bruising (Ecchymosis)
President Trump has been observed with bruising on his hands, which the White House attributes to frequent handshaking and aspirin therapy. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, President Trump confirmed taking 325 mg of aspirin daily for 25 years, a dosage higher than the 81 mg often recommended by physicians. He stated he is reluctant to change this routine for "superstitious" reasons. The White House physician recommended switching to low-dose aspirin (81 mg). President Trump stated he sometimes applies makeup to his hands to conceal bruises.
Neck Rash
In March 2026, Dr. Barbabella issued a statement regarding a rash on the president's neck, indicating it was a "preventative skin treatment" cream, with redness expected to last for a few weeks. The May 2026 memo did not address this skin treatment.
Right Ear Scarring
The April 2025 exam showed scarring on President Trump's right ear consistent with a prior gunshot injury from a July 2024 assassination attempt. Hearing was reported intact.
Colonoscopy
A July 2024 colonoscopy revealed diverticulosis and a benign polyp. A follow-up colonoscopy was recommended in three years.
Medication and Recommendations
"I don't know how he's alive." — HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., commenting on President Trump's diet
President Trump takes the following medications:
- Aspirin (325 mg daily) for blood thinning and cardiovascular prevention
- Rosuvastatin for cholesterol
- Ezetimibe for cholesterol
Dr. Barbabella's preventive counseling included guidance on diet, low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss. The physician noted that continuous weight loss would be beneficial, and Dr. Byron Lee, a Stanford cardiovascular medicine professor, commented without access to detailed records that GLP-1 medications might be prescribed for similar patients.
Lifestyle and Exercise
President Trump stated in interviews that he generally does not engage in exercise outside of golf. He described treadmill activity as unappealing. White House officials and the president have stated that he walks significant distances when golfing, with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. citing 9 miles (14.5 km) per outing. President Trump added: "When I am not using the cart."
In August, President Trump announced plans to relaunch the Presidential Fitness Test for grade-school students, a program phased out in 2013.
He has lifelong abstinence from tobacco and alcohol, according to the physician's report.
Statements from the President
"Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House."
— President Trump on Truth Social, May 2026
In an October 2025 interview with The Wall Street Journal, President Trump stated his health is "perfect" and denied having any ailments. He expressed regret over publicly mentioning a medical scan, suggesting it provided "ammunition" for critics. He attributed his health to "very good genetics."
Statements from White House and Administration Officials
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung: Posted on X about President Trump's long work day negotiating a U.S.-Iran peace deal, stating, "This man is focused and determined. Can't stop, won't stop."
White House Spokesperson Davis Ingle: "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 Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Attributed hand bruises to "constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day."
HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: In a January podcast, stated that CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz reviewed President Trump's medical records and found "the highest testosterone level that he's ever seen for an individual over 70 years old." Kennedy also cited President Trump's diet of McDonald's, candy, and Diet Coke, saying, "I don't know how he's alive."
Public Observations and Polling
Observations
Photographs and videos of President Trump have drawn public attention, including:
- Appearing to doze off during meetings. President Trump has stated he was blinking or closing his eyes for relaxation, saying, "I didn't sleep. I just closed them because I wanted to get the hell outta here."
- Hand bruising, which President Trump stated he conceals with makeup.
- Swollen ankles, which led to the chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis.
- A blotchy neck rash, attributed to preventative skin treatment.
Polling Data
Multiple polls have indicated declining public confidence in President Trump's mental and physical fitness:
Poll Key Finding Reuters-Ipsos 61% of Americans agreed President Trump had "become erratic with age," including 30% of Republicans. Those viewing him as "mentally sharp" declined from 54% to 45% CNN Survey Those stating President Trump possesses the "stamina and sharpness" to serve effectively fell from 53% to 46% Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos Majorities questioned President Trump's mental sharpness (56%) and physical health (51%). Mental sharpness concern increased by 13 points from May 2023, physical health by 23 points Pew Research Center Americans "very confident" in mental fitness decreased from 39% to 32% ; physical fitness from 35% to 28%. Among Republicans: mental from 75% to 66% , physical from 65% to 55%Age Comparison with Predecessor
President Trump, born June 14, 1946, became the oldest person to assume the presidency upon his inauguration in January 2025. His predecessor, President Joe Biden, was 82 when leaving office and withdrew from the 2024 presidential race due to age-related concerns. Polling data indicates President Trump's current figures on mental sharpness are generally higher than those of President Biden at the time of his withdrawal.
Transparency and Disclosure
"Nothing should be hidden." — S. Jay Olshansky, who has studied presidential health
There is no law requiring U.S. presidents to disclose their medical records. Transparency has varied by administration. President Trump's past medical reports have been criticized by some medical experts for providing limited detail. Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, a former White House physician, stated that for a president of Trump's age, a complete physical would include advanced heart testing, cancer screening, and a cognitive assessment. Bioethicist Sara Rosenthal stated, "I think we can expect very little disclosure about the true health status of any president unless they're in perfect health."
S. Jay Olshansky, who has studied presidential health, said the public should see full, unredacted medical records: "Nothing should be hidden."
The White House did not answer detailed questions about the May 2026 exam, referring to the earlier announcement. Dr. Ronny Jackson did not respond to a request for comment.