President Donald Trump is in "excellent health," as stated in a White House report after his initial yearly medical checkup since his return to office. The Republican 78-year-old leader has often bragged about his physical health, regularly comparing himself with his 82-year-old Democratic rival, Joe Biden, whom he has attacked for alleged physical and mental degeneration.
A note from the president's doctor, released by the White House, assured that Trump is "fully fit to perform the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State." It lauded his physical and mental health, although it did mention a couple of minor health complaints, such as some sun damage to his skin and scarring on his right ear from a gunshot wound he received during an assassination attempt last July.
The report further stated that Trump has diverticulosis, which is a condition in which small pouches develop within the colon, as was seen in a colonoscopy last year. A benign polyp was also found, and a follow-up checkup was advised in three years.
Trump is currently on four medications: two for cholesterol control, aspirin for cardiovascular health, and a steroid cream for the skin. Apart from his age, the report noted his "active lifestyle" and regular success in golf tournaments, a pastime the president frequently brags about. Trump's avoidance of alcohol and cigarettes was also noted as part of his healthy lifestyle.
Trump's diet is said to consist of fast food and well-done steaks, although the recent report suggests that he looks thinner than his first term. His current weight is 224 pounds (101.6 kilograms) compared to 243 pounds in 2019.
Trump himself made a statement on his health after his check-up at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, indicating that he was "in very good shape." He also reported that he had scored perfectly on a cognitive test, telling journalists that he "got every answer right."
In spite of repeated admiration of his health, Trump's medical history has sometimes been punctuated by outlandish assertions. In 2015, his initial presidential doctor, Dr. Harold Bornstein, signed a letter saying that Trump "unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency." Bornstein later conceded that Trump had dictated the whole letter.
Dr. Ronny Jackson, Trump's first-term physician, was in the news in 2018 when he indicated Trump might "live to be 200 years old" with dietary changes. Trump was then said to be in "excellent health" by Jackson overall but advised to lose 10 to 15 pounds. Trump was then found to weigh 243 pounds by a subsequent examination, which made him technically obese.
Aging and health are strong issues for the 2024 presidential election, as both Trump and Biden are the oldest candidates in U.S. history. Concerns over Biden's health, particularly after a slip during a debate, have brought the candidates' physical and mental health into sharper focus.
Read also| Indian Markets End Week Higher as Tariff Worries Recede
Read also| India's Forex Reserves Climb to $676.3 Billion, Marking Fifth Consecutive Weekly Gain
