Trump’s Physical Exam Shows ‘Excellent Health’ at Age 79
The White House has released the results of President Donald Trump’s latest physical examination, with his physician declaring him in “excellent health” and “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State” — even as the 79-year-old president approaches his 80th birthday next month.
According to ABC News, Trump underwent his physical on Tuesday, May 26, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The medical memo from U.S. Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, Physician to the President, was released late Friday night — a three-day delay that broke from the White House’s own precedent.
Key Health Findings
The exam, which lasted approximately three and a half hours, revealed several notable findings. Trump weighed in at 238 pounds (108 kg), up 14 pounds from his April 2025 physical, when he weighed 224 pounds. At 6 feet 3 inches tall, his body mass index now stands at 29.7 — just one-tenth of a point below the clinical obesity threshold of 30.
As USA Today reported, Barbabella noted that an AI-enhanced electrocardiogram estimated Trump’s cardiac age at roughly 14 years younger than his chronological age. The president scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), a 10-minute screening test for dementia and cognitive impairment. A 3D scan of his heart showed no abnormalities.
“President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function,” Barbabella wrote in the memo. “His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being.”
Bruising, Leg Swelling, and Medications
The physical also addressed ongoing health concerns that have drawn public attention throughout Trump’s second term. According to Yahoo News, the memo noted “slight lower leg swelling was observed, with improvement from last year” — a condition related to chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed in July 2025.
Hand bruising, which has been frequently visible in photographs of the president, was attributed to “minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention.” Barbabella described the bruising as a “well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.”
Trump is currently taking three medications: aspirin at 325 mg per day — higher than the recommended 81 mg low dose — along with two cholesterol-control drugs, Rosuvastatin and Ezetimibe. The Guardian reported that preventive counseling included guidance on diet, a recommendation to switch to a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss.
Age and Historical Context
Trump turns 80 on June 14, 2026, making him the oldest person ever to assume the U.S. presidency. His predecessor, Joe Biden, was 82 when he left office and faced persistent questions about his mental acuity. The physical results come amid heightened scrutiny of Trump’s health, particularly given his at-times tired demeanor during official meetings and late-night social media activity.
This was Trump’s third scheduled medical appointment at Walter Reed in 13 months, and his fourth in his second term. The comprehensive neurological assessment showed “normal mental status,” including screenings for depression and anxiety. Scarring on the president’s right ear — related to the gunshot wound from the 2024 assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania — was also noted.
Exercise and Lifestyle
The president’s relationship with exercise has long been a topic of discussion. In a 2015 New York Times Magazine profile, Trump said: “All my friends who work out all the time, they’re going for knee replacements, hip replacements. They’re a disaster.” More recently, during a May 2026 Oval Office event, he joked that he exercises “about one minute a day, max. If I’m lucky.”
Barbabella’s recommendations for increased physical activity and weight loss may face an uphill battle given the president’s well-documented skepticism toward formal exercise. Trump has frequently cited golf as his preferred form of physical activity.
What’s Next
The release of the physical results provides a measure of reassurance about the president’s health ahead of his milestone birthday, though the 14-pound weight gain and near-obese BMI classification may raise questions about his health regimen going forward. The three-day delay in releasing the results, and the late Friday night timing, has drawn some scrutiny from media observers.
Absent from the memo was any mention of the skin treatment Trump received on his neck in March 2026, or whether he underwent any advanced imaging — such as an MRI or CT scan — during this visit, as he did during his October 2025 appointment. These unanswered questions may fuel continued speculation about the president’s health as he approaches his ninth decade.