US President Donald Trump has publicly declared himself to be in excellent health after a recent medical evaluation, using the occasion to push for mandatory cognitive testing for the nation's top political leaders.
Perfect Health and a Perfect Cognitive Score
On Friday, January 2, President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share the results of his latest health check-up. He stated that White House doctors have declared him in "PERFECT HEALTH". The 79-year-old president further claimed that he "ACED" his cognitive examination for the third consecutive time, answering 100% of the questions correctly.
Trump contrasted his willingness to take such tests with his political rivals, asserting that no other sitting or former president or vice president has agreed to undergo similar testing. He then made a strong call for institutionalising such checks.
A Call for Mandatory Cognitive Exams for Candidates
In his post, President Trump argued that cognitive fitness is non-negotiable for the country's highest offices. "I strongly believe that anyone running for President, or Vice President, should be mandatorily forced to take a strong, meaningful, and proven Cognitive Examination," he wrote.
He concluded with a blunt statement: "Our great Country cannot be run by 'STUPID' or INCOMPETENT PEOPLE!" These comments arrive amidst ongoing public and media scrutiny regarding the age and mental acuity of leaders in US politics, a debate that has become central in recent years.
Health Details and Clarifications Emerge
The renewed focus on Trump's health follows a detailed interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Thursday, January 1. In it, the president, who is the oldest person to assume the US presidency, discussed his daily health regimen.
He revealed he takes a daily dose of 325 milligrams of aspirin for cardiac prevention, citing a desire for "nice, thin blood" to flow through his heart. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed this to the WSJ, noting it is significantly higher than the typical 81-milligram low-dose aspirin often recommended for older adults.
Dr. Barbabella also clarified details about an imaging test conducted in October 2024. Contrary to earlier mentions of an MRI, the president actually underwent a CT scan. The doctor explained this was done "to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues," and the results showed no abnormalities.
Despite the clean bill of health, visible signs have fueled public curiosity. The White House has previously attributed bruising on Trump's hands to frequent handshaking. However, persistent bruising on his right hand—often concealed with makeup or a bandage—and occasionally swollen ankles during public appearances have kept questions about his well-being in the spotlight during the first year of his second term.
