Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz on Tuesday deflected questions at the White House press briefing about the frequency of President Trump's medical appointments, characterizing his latest trip to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center as a standard checkup.
Oz, who previously hosted a daytime television program, said he discussed the visit with Trump and insisted it was merely “a routine, regular exam.” He recalled having the president on his show a decade ago, noting that even then, Trump’s health metrics were impressive. “I was stunned at how well he was doing, because so many of these numbers naturally over time will start going in the wrong direction,” Oz said.
The administrator described Trump’s current medical results as “spectacular,” adding that his stamina and mental sharpness are exceptional. “That amount of energy and that amount of mental acuity does not exist in a vacuum,” he said. “You have to have a vessel to carry it, and the president has unique ability to just keep going at all hours of the day with remarkable strength.”
Trump’s visit last week marked his third trip to Walter Reed in 13 months, raising questions among journalists about why a supposedly healthy 79-year-old requires such frequent assessments. When pressed, Oz suggested the president simply enjoys the validation. “I think he likes the results. He does really well,” Oz said. “He aces the test every single day, and I do actually believe that he is curious to make sure everything is going in the right direction.”
The White House released a memo late Friday from Trump’s physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella, stating that the president “remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function.” Barbabella attributed Trump’s well-being partly to his demanding schedule, which includes “multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity.” He declared Trump “fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”
The exam also included a Montreal Cognitive Assessment, on which Trump scored a perfect 30 out of 30. However, his weight increased to 238 pounds, up from his last checkup in April. The memo noted minor bruising on his hands and slight leg swelling, attributed to “frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention.”
Trump, who turns 80 later this month, touted his health on Truth Social earlier this week, claiming he “checked out perfectly.” The president’s frequent medical visits have drawn scrutiny, especially as his administration pushes major policy changes, including new Medicaid work requirements that Oz helped roll out. Critics question whether the trips reflect genuine health concerns or a desire to project vigor.
Meanwhile, political tensions continue to simmer. In a separate development, Senator Jon Ossoff’s viral criticism of Trump has positioned him as a rising Democratic voice ahead of the 2026 midterms. And a federal judge blocked the administration’s attempt to dismantle a Colorado climate lab, adding to the legal battles surrounding Trump’s second term.
