Trump’s Recent Physical: What We Know — and What Remains Unclear
President Donald Trump recently underwent a medical examination — including cognitive testing — at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella described the visit as a comprehensive and multi-hour evaluation as part of the president’s “ongoing health maintenance plan.” The Washington Post+4ABC News+4PBS+4
In his public summary, Barbabella wrote that Trump “exhibits excellent cognitive and physical health and is fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.” He cited robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function as evidence of the president’s vitality and active lifestyle. The Daily Beast+4wpbf.com+4ABC News+4
The memo also referenced Trump’s “frequent victories in golf events” as part of his regimen of physical activity. The Washington Post+1
Key Findings & Health Details
The examination reportedly included advanced imaging, laboratory tests, and preventive health assessments conducted by a team of specialists. ABC News+2PBS+2
As part of the evaluation, Barbabella noted that Trump’s “cardiac age” — a measurement derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) — was estimated to be ~14 years younger than his chronological age. The Daily Beast+3ABC News+3WSYX+3
Trump also received a flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster during the visit. ABC News+1
In a prior exam in April 2025, Trump scored a perfect 30/30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) — a standard screening tool for cognitive function. The Daily Beast+3The Washington Post+3Reuters+3
During that earlier evaluation, the White House disclosed that Trump had chronic venous insufficiency, a condition affecting the veins in the legs that can lead to swelling. PBS+4ABC News+4WSYX+4
Public Concerns and Disagreements
Despite the doctors’ public assurances, questions persist in media and medical circles:
Some physicians and observers note that bruising on Trump’s hand and swelling in his legs have been visible in recent months — signs that the White House has acknowledged as part of the chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis. The Washington Post+2The Daily Beast+2
Others argue that the White House survey is selective in detail: they call for more transparency, especially regarding advanced imaging results (e.g., coronary artery imaging) that could reveal hidden risks like arterial plaque. The Washington Post+2The Daily Beast+2
Some public commentators and experts question the timing of another major exam so soon after a prior physical (in April for example), suggesting the optics or motives deserve scrutiny. The Daily Beast+1
A British cardiologist, Dr. Aseem Malhotra, publicly opined that certain symptoms (e.g. swollen ankles) might stem from side effects of statin and aspirin use, rather than cognitive decline. He cautioned that long-term aspirin use can sometimes carry bleeding risks without clear benefit in low-vascular-risk individuals. The Daily Beast
What We Still Don’t Know
The full, detailed medical report (imaging, scans, lab breakdowns) has not been released in entirety to the public. The Washington Post+2The Daily Beast+2
Independent evaluations (beyond the White House physician’s summary) are not publicly available, raising questions about external validation of the findings. The Washington Post+1
While the MoCA test is informative for basic cognitive screening, it is not diagnostic for deeper neurological conditions; it does not replace more specialized neuroimaging or dementia evaluations. Wikipedia+2PBS+2
-
The motivations and medical necessity behind a “second major physical” within months (versus the usual annual cadence) remain unclear.
Balanced Takeaway
The White House’s published results portray President Trump as physically and cognitively fit, countering speculation about his health. But the lack of full disclosure, combined with visible signs of vascular and aging-related symptoms, means public skepticism is likely to persist.
At this moment, the facts we do know — a comprehensive exam, a perfect cognitive test score, chronic venous issues openly acknowledged — offer some assurance. But for many, the question isn’t just whether he passed the physical, but how openly and fully that information is shared in service of public trust.
