President Donald Trump remains in “excellent health,” according to a memo released late Friday by the White House following his annual physical exam earlier this week at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The assessment, signed by White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella, comes as Trump approaches his 80th birthday in June, making him the oldest president ever inaugurated for a second term.
Barbabella wrote that Trump “demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function.” He added that the president’s “demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being.” The physician concluded: “Cognitive and physical performance are excellent. He is fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State.”
Weight Gain and Physical Findings
The memo noted Trump weighed 238 pounds during Tuesday’s exam, up from 224 pounds in his April 2025 annual visit. Barbabella also documented scarring on Trump’s right ear, consistent with the injury he sustained during the July 2024 assassination attempt. Slight lower leg swelling was observed, and bruising on the president’s hands was attributed to “minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention.” Trump has previously addressed this issue.
Trump scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a standard screening for memory and cognitive impairment. The president had already claimed on Truth Social that he “checked out perfectly” after the visit, which marked his third trip to Walter Reed in 13 months. His off-the-cuff disclosure last fall that he underwent an MRI scan had stirred some public questions about his health.
Political Context
The physical’s release comes amid a flurry of political activity. Trump recently endorsed Pam Evette for South Carolina governor, snubbing Nancy Mace, and has been pushing for a $250 bill for the 2026 semiquincentennial, backed by Treasury Secretary Bessent. Meanwhile, a Pentagon $9.7 billion Dell deal has raised conflict-of-interest questions, and Bulgaria has cut U.S. military aircraft access over a visa dispute. On the domestic front, a federal judge blocked Trump’s plan to rename and close the Kennedy Center, and the president headed to the Situation Room for final Iran deal calls while Attorney General Bondi deflected on Epstein files.
Barbabella’s memo did not address any specific political controversies, focusing solely on medical findings. The physician’s upbeat assessment stands in contrast to the scrutiny Trump often faces over his age and health, particularly as he continues to maintain a grueling schedule of rallies, meetings, and international engagements.
The full report was released late Friday, providing a detailed look at the president’s vitals and test results. It remains to be seen whether the positive findings will quiet critics or fuel further debate about the transparency of presidential health disclosures.
