President Donald Trump has undergone four publicized health checkups since returning to the White House in January 2025, with the most recent examination on May 26, 2026, at Walter Reed Medical Center. Trump insisted he is in "perfect health" following the appointment, posting on Truth Social that "everything checked out PERFECTLY." However, the repeated visits have sparked public concern about his physical condition as he approaches his 80th birthday. Dr. Jeffrey Kuhlman, a former White House physician who served under presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton, told the LA Times that concern for the president's physical health is "probably at an all-time high," citing advanced physical age as the primary concern.
April 2025 Checkup — Abnormalities Documented
Trump's first Walter Reed appointment of his new tenure occurred on April 11, 2025, months after his January inauguration. His physician, Sean Barbarella, examined Trump through multiple specialists and tests, according to the source.
In a memo to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Barbarella stated the president "remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function." The doctor noted Trump's "active lifestyle" and stated he was "fully fit to execute the duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
However, Barbarella highlighted "abnormalities" in the memo, including scarring to Trump's right ear—following the attempted assassination in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024—and findings of "diverticulosis and a benign polyp" discovered during a colonoscopy carried out in July 2024.
July 2025 Checkup — Bruising and Swelling
Images captured in the months following the April checkup appeared to show Trump with swollen ankles, bruising on both hands, and a visible rash on his neck. Growing public speculation about these conditions prompted a second examination by Barbarella outside of Walter Reed.
In a fresh memo, Barbarella stated the president had "mild swelling in his lower legs." The "comprehensive examination" uncovered chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which damaged veins struggle to send blood back to the heart. Barbarella concluded the condition was "benign and common."
Regarding the hand bruising, Barbarella attributed it to "consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin," noting Trump takes aspirin as part of a "standard cardiovascular prevention regimen."
This explanation drew skepticism from Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a cardiologist who served former Vice President Dick Cheney. Speaking to the Washington Post, Reiner stated the explanation "doesn't make sense," saying: "If you're taking too much aspirin, one would likely take less aspirin. So that explanation doesn't make a lot of sense to me. We've seen a similar bruise from time to time on his left hand, and I doubt he's shaking hands with his left hand." Reiner accused the White House of "a lack of candor."
October 2025 Checkup — Cardiac Age Assessment
Trump made his next trip to Walter Reed in October 2025, described by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt as both a "scheduled follow-up evaluation" part of his "ongoing health maintenance plan" and a "planned meeting and remarks with the troops."
Barbarella reported the visit included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventative health assessments conducted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. Trump received preventive health screenings and immunizations, including annual influenza and updated COVID-19 booster vaccinations in preparation for a planned overseas trip.
In his memo, Barbarella stated: "President Trump continues to demonstrate excellent overall health. His cardiac age—a validated measure of cardiovascular vitality via ECG—was found to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. He continues to maintain a demanding daily schedule without restriction."
Trump revealed details about the visit, stating he underwent an MRI scan and took a cognitive test which he "aced." Discussing the scan, he said: "It wasn't the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it."
May 2026 Checkup — Routine Assessment
Trump's visit on May 26, 2026, represented the third Walter Reed appointment of his new term and the fourth overall publicized medical checkup. The White House presented it as a routine "annual dental and medical assessment." The standard visit lasted approximately three-and-a-half hours, according to White House officials, with specifics anticipated "in the next day or so."
Trump posted on Truth Social immediately upon returning to the White House: "Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff!"
Further details could take considerable time to emerge. According to the source, it was not until December that Barbarella's memo from an earlier visit was made public. No legislation exists requiring presidential medical information to be disclosed publicly, but enormous pressure compelled the Trump administration to release information last year.
