Daijiworld Media Network- Washington
Washington, Apr 11: As Donald Trump, 78, undergoes his annual physical examination at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, questions swirl once again about the transparency of his health reports — a topic that has long remained veiled in political ambiguity and personal discretion.
Trump, now the oldest president to be sworn into office, even surpassing Joe Biden in age at inauguration, took to his social media platform saying, “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!”
However, expectations for a comprehensive health disclosure remain low, based on the former president’s history of sparse and glowing medical statements that lack key details like blood pressure, cholesterol, or cognitive assessments. Past reports from physicians close to Trump, including Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald and former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson, have described him as being in “excellent” condition — often without presenting substantive medical data.
This check-up will be the first medical update since the July 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania. At the time, no formal medical records were released; instead, Rep. Jackson offered a memo describing a gunshot wound to Trump’s right ear.
Even Trump’s bout with COVID-19 in 2020 was cloaked in ambiguity. Despite initial assurances from the White House, later accounts revealed his condition was more serious than initially portrayed. Trump eventually submitted to a taped medical interview on Fox News, with Dr. Marc Siegel, rather than offering an official briefing.
Adding to the skepticism is Trump’s 2019 unannounced visit to Walter Reed, which broke tradition and raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. The White House later called it a “planned interim checkup,” but the lack of transparency left room for speculation.
While Trump has criticized Biden’s mental and physical agility on the campaign trail, he’s resisted holding himself to the same standard. Despite promising in August 2024 to “very gladly” release his medical records, no such documents have surfaced to date.
In contrast, Trump has made headlines for unconventional demonstrations of mental fitness — such as his infamous “Person Woman Man Camera TV” remark in 2020, meant to show off his cognitive strength during a televised interview.
With Trump now seeking to assure voters of his vitality ahead of the 2024 presidential campaign, Friday’s physical may once again result in a vague, highly favorable assessment — echoing a longstanding pattern of medical mystery and media management.
Whether this latest visit will offer any meaningful insight into his current physical and cognitive state remains to be seen. But if history is any guide, the public may be left with more questions than answers.