White House Releases Health Report Declaring 78-Year-Old Trump Fit to Serve as President

Since becoming the oldest person to take the U.S. presidency, Donald Trump's health has been a matter of public debate on numerous occasions. Yet, a recent White House health report after his first annual medical examination since returning to office confirmed that the 78-year-old Republican is in "excellent health."

Trump, who has often gushed about his own health, has long castigated his Democratic counterpart, aged 82-year-old Joe Biden, as "decrepit" and "mentally unfit" to serve.

In the most recent letter from a doctor released by the White House, it read: "President Trump demonstrates superior cognitive and physical function and is fully capable of fulfilling the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."

In spite of the good report, the assessment did mention a couple of minor health issues, such as mild sun damage to Trump's skin and scarring on his right ear due to a gunshot wound he received during an assassination attempt in July 2022. Also, a colonoscopy showed that Trump has diverticulosis, a condition where there are small pouches in the colon, and a benign polyp. The report suggested a follow-up test in three years.

Trump's medical report also indicated that he is now taking four medications: two for the regulation of his cholesterol, aspirin for the prevention of cardiac issues, and a steroid cream for the skin. The overall evaluation noted his "active lifestyle" and commended his "frequent victories in golf tournaments." The former president, who does not drink and does not smoke, is similarly famous for his fast foods and for ordering well-done steaks. Interestingly, Trump seems thinner today than he did during his initial term, with the report citing his weight at 224 pounds (101.6 kg), a reduction from 243 pounds in 2019.

After his test, Trump said reporters on Air Force One that he was "in very good shape" and even boasted about having scored a perfect score on a cognitive test. "I took a cognitive test. I don't know what to tell you other than I got every answer right," he said.

In spite of the favorable health report, Trump has been accused of secrecy regarding his health, although his physical status had long attracted high-profile public attention. In 2015, his doctor, Harold Bornstein, sent out a letter announcing that Trump would "unequivocally, will be the healthiest person ever to be elected president." Later, Bornstein showed that Trump himself had dictated the letter. In 2018, White House physician for Trump's first term, Ronny Jackson, asserted that on a healthier diet, Trump would "live to be 200 years old.

Age became a major concern in the 2024 presidential election, with both Trump and Biden being the oldest major party nominees in U.S. history. Biden's mental faculties became a major point of discussion after his performance during a TV debate against Trump in June caused concern.

In a book called All in the Family: The Trumps and How We Got This Way, Trump's nephew, Fred Trump III, expressed concerns that Trump's family has a history of dementia and that Trump may be experiencing early symptoms. His grandfather and father, noted Fred Trump III, had Alzheimer's, and his father died eight years after he was diagnosed in 1999.

Trump has also made numerous public gaffes over time, including name confusion of politicians and officials. Trump got Nikki Haley, a GOP presidential candidate, confused with Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi when talking about the January 6 U.S. Capitol assault. Trump has also gotten Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán confused with the leader of Turkey and confused Biden's name with former President Barack Obama's name.

In March this year, there was a video in which Trump was seen struggling to alight from a golf cart, and this prompted speculations on his physical well-being online. But the latest White House medical report seems to put such worries at bay for the time being, stating that Trump is otherwise in good health.