President Donald Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday for what the White House called a “routine yearly checkup.”
However, it comes just six months after Trump had an annual physical at Walter Reed on April 11, sparking questions about the reason for Friday’s visit.
Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via an email sent outside regular business hours.
Why It Matters
Trump was the oldest person ever sworn in as president when he returned to the White House in January, taking the record from his predecessor Joe Biden. Trump turned 79 in June.
His latest visit to Walter Reed comes as concerns have been growing about his health in recent months. But despite persistently questioning Biden’s physical and mental capacity, Trump has long kept basic details about his own health secret.
A recent poll found about half of Americans think Trump is too old to be president, while similar numbers feel he is not being transparent enough about his health and that they trust the information provided by the White House about Trump’s health “a little” or “not at all.”
In July, more than 8,000 people signed a petition calling for the president to release all his medical records.
What To Know
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump was going to be visiting Walter Reed on Friday for a “planned meeting and remarks with the troops” and that while he was there, he would “stop by for his routine yearly check up.”
On social media, some pointed out Trump had an annual check up just six months ago and is not due for another one until next year.
After Trump’s physical in April, his physician said he was “fully fit” to serve as commander in chief. He added that Trump “remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function” and that his “active lifestyle continues to contribute significantly to his well-being.”
But in recent months, he has been seen with bruising on the back of his right hand, sometimes concealed with makeup, and swelling in his legs.
The White House said in July that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)—a condition where veins in the legs are unable to efficiently return blood back to the heart, which his physician described as “benign and common” particular in older adults.
Leavitt attributed the bruising to “frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which Trump takes regularly to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Then in August, rumors that Trump had died swirled on social media after he was not seen in public for several days. In a post on social media at the time, Trump wrote: “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE.”
What People Are Saying
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: “On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops. 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.”
Journalist Prem Thakker wrote on X: “White House says Donald Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday. While there, he will ‘stop by for his routine yearly check up.’ But…Trump had his annual check up already. 5 months ago. On April 11.”
Cardiologist Dr. Jonathan Reiner wrote on X: “The White House announced that the president will go to Walter Reed on Fri for his ‘yearly check up’. It’s a bit early, as he’s not due for his annual exam until April.”
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