By Lydia O’Connor
Copyright huffingtonpost
For the second time in six months, President Donald Trump is going in for his “routine yearly check up” at Walter Reed Medical Centre on Friday, the White House has revealed.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt soft-pedalled the significance of Trump’s visit to the doctor’s office in her announcement, saying he’ll “stop by” for the appointment after meeting with troops at the Maryland hospital and may even head to the Middle East after the check-up.
“On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Centre for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops,” Leavitt’s statement said.
“While there, President Trump will stop by for his routine yearly check up. He will then return to the White House. President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter.”
The “yearly” visit comes six months after the White House disclosed in April that Trump, 79, had his “annual physical examination” at the same hospital, with his doctor concluding that the president “remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function” and has “excellent cognitive” health, too.
The White House did not immediately respond when asked why Trump was having the second exam so soon.
Trump’s doctor’s appointment comes as concerns about his health have mounted over the past month, largely driven by unusual stretches without him making any public appearances, considerable bruising on his hands and comments Vice President JD Vance made about being ready to assume the presidency if “God forbid, there’s a terrible tragedy” with Trump.
The White House also confirmed in July that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, noting that it’s a “benign and common condition.”
Democratic opponents have also accused Trump of having clear signs of dementia, pointing to some of his unwieldy press conferences and other public appearances. The president has repeatedly batted away any questions about his mental acuity.
Trump didn’t release his medical records during the 2024 election, reneging on promises to do so.