President Donald Trump has been declared in “exceptional overall health” by his doctor after undergoing a checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, putting to rest days of wild speculation that he had died or fallen gravely ill.
The 79-year-old president spent three hours at the Bethesda, Maryland facility on Friday for what the White House described as a “scheduled follow-up evaluation.”
Rumours about Trump’s health had spiralled online this week after images showed him with bruised hands and swollen ankles, in addition with conspiracy theories claiming he had secretly passed away.
But in a memo released by the White House on Friday night, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella said Trump “remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and physical performance.”
The doctor added that Trump received his annual flu shot and a COVID-19 booster during the visit, noting that his “cardiac age” was about 14 years younger than his actual age.
White House sources said the president’s evaluation included advanced imaging, lab testing and preventive health assessments in preparation for upcoming international trips to the Middle East and Asia.
This latest visit follows an April physical where Trump was declared “fully fit to serve” after shedding 20 pounds and maintaining what doctors described as an “active lifestyle.”
In July, officials disclosed that Trump had developed chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition among older adults that causes mild swelling in the legs.
Despite repeated questions from the press, the White House said the release of Friday’s test results was meant to “dispel misinformation” about the president’s wellbeing.
Trump, who has long mocked rivals over health issues, used a recent address to Navy sailors to boast that his former physician, now Congressman Ronny Jackson, once called him the “healthiest” among recent presidents.
Online speculation about Trump’s health surged again in August when the president briefly disappeared from public view, fuelling claims from conspiracy theorists that he had died until his reappearance at the White House days later.
