President Donald Trump, the oldest man ever inaugurated as U.S. president, will visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday for a “routine yearly checkup,” the White House confirmed.
“On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. “While there, he will stop by for his routine yearly checkup and then return to the White House.”
This marks Trump’s second visit to Walter Reed since returning to the White House in January. His previous exam in April included cognitive and cardiology tests, though details of Friday’s checkup remain unclear.
A memo from Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, noted that the April exam declared the president “fully fit to execute the duties” of his office. The report highlighted Trump’s frequent golf activities as contributing to his “excellent” physical and mental wellbeing.
Leavitt added that Trump is “considering going to the Middle East shortly” following his Friday consultation. The president indicated earlier this week that he may travel to Egypt to help finalize a deal aimed at ending the two-year war in Gaza.
Since April, Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in older adults that can cause leg swelling. His physician also addressed a purplish bruise on the president’s hand, attributing it to frequent handshakes and the regular use of aspirin for cardiovascular prevention. The appearance of the bruise in recent images, partially covered with makeup, sparked online speculation about his health.
Concerns about Trump’s wellbeing date back to his first term, but rumors intensified this summer when he briefly faded from public view, prompting speculation about his condition. The president dismissed these claims, posting on social media, “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE!”
Questions about Trump’s mental acuity have also emerged in recent weeks after a series of erratic public appearances and online behavior, raising further interest in his upcoming checkup.
Friday’s visit to Walter Reed will provide the latest update on the 79-year-old president’s health as he continues to balance public duties, potential international travel, and scrutiny over his physical and cognitive condition.
