Washington, DC, May 31 — President Donald Trump, who will turn 80 in June and is the oldest person to hold the office, continues to assert he is in excellent health and has repeatedly said he scores well on cognitive tests. Public concern about his fitness for office has persisted, however, and his physician has advised preventive measures focused on weight reduction and increased daily activity.
In a memorandum released Friday, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella summarized findings from the president’s third in-person medical examination in 13 months at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. “He is fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief,” the doctor wrote after the visit earlier this week.
The assessment included numerous diagnostic tests, with attention to cardiac function and other systems. The memo lists the president’s weight at 238 pounds and a resting heart rate of 73 beats per minute. Overall, the clinical evaluations were described as largely normal.
The report did note mild lower-leg swelling that showed improvement compared with the prior year, and skin discoloration on his hands. Dr. Barbabella characterized the hand changes as consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking combined with regular aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention.
A full neurological exam, including standard cognitive screenings, was performed and the president scored 30 out of 30 on those tests, the memorandum said. The physician also confirmed Mr. Trump is up to date on recommended preventive screenings and immunizations; routine cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk assessments, and metabolic evaluations were reported to be current and within recommended intervals.
Preventive health counseling was provided during the visit. The doctor’s recommendations included dietary guidance, switching to low-dose aspirin, increasing daily physical activity, and continuing efforts to lose weight. The memo also reviewed chronic medications the president takes for cholesterol management and cardiac prevention.
The new report echoes comments Trump made earlier this year in an interview with The Wall Street Journal following a clinical CT scan performed in October 2025, when he discussed his health and acknowledged longtime use of aspirin. He has said taking higher-than-recommended aspirin has caused bruising and has described carrying cosmetic products to conceal marks on his hand.
Trump has also rejected claims that he falls asleep at events, saying he sometimes closes his eyes because it is “relaxing” and denying persistent viral reports that he dozes during White House functions. Since beginning his second term in January 2025, he has faced sustained scrutiny about age-related health issues, a topic that has also been central to commentary about his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Biden, who had planned to run for re-election, withdrew from the 2024 race after repeated attacks about his age and mental fitness. In May 2025, Biden’s office disclosed he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones, a development that intensified public discussion of leaders’ medical transparency.
Public attention on Mr. Trump’s health grew last year after widely shared photos and video showed visibly swollen feet, ankles and calves as well as pronounced bruising on his right hand. Some close-up footage prompted speculation that heavy concealer was being used to mask markings; the White House responded in July 2025, attributing the hand discoloration to tissue damage from frequent handshaking and noting aspirin use as part of standard cardiovascular prevention. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the findings consistent with a chronic vascular condition.
(This story is from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.)
