In an unexpected late-night social media tirade, Donald Trump targeted Vice President Kamala Harris, making an issue out of her seasonal allergies. The former president, known for his sensitivity around his own health and cognitive fitness, took to Truth Social to question Harris’s ability to serve as president based on her common health condition.
Trump’s attack came after the White House released a memo from Harris’ doctor, detailing her medical history, including conditions like urticaria (hives), allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and allergic conjunctivitis. These are common and treatable conditions affecting millions, yet Trump painted them as deeply concerning for her role in leadership. He wrote, “Kamala’s Report is really bad…These are deeply serious conditions that clearly impact her functioning.”
Seasonal allergies, including hay fever, affect a significant portion of the population and are not typically seen as incapacitating. Despite this, Trump exaggerated the potential impact on Harris’ ability to lead, even joking about whether the White House would need to spend “millions on tissues and Zyrtec.”
While the doctor’s memo concluded that Harris is in “excellent health” and leads an active lifestyle, Trump continued his critique. “She is dying to see my Cholesterol (which is 180!),” he boasted, though an LDL cholesterol level of 180 mg/dL is considered high. The irony of Trump pointing out his own health records while exaggerating Harris’ allergies hasn’t gone unnoticed, especially as Trump, now 78, would become the oldest U.S. president if re-elected.
The health debate comes at a time when Trump’s own medical transparency is under scrutiny. Over 230 physicians recently called on Trump to release his health records, noting that Harris has been transparent about her health, while Trump has not provided recent updates. Trump has frequently bragged about his cognitive health and past medical exams, most of which were conducted by Dr. Ronny Jackson, a physician known for his staunch support of the former president.
Trump’s advisers, both past and present, have noted how easily he becomes triggered when his health or cognitive abilities are called into question. “He basically has to respond to it,” a former White House official said. In fact, Trump’s health has been a sore point for him throughout his career, and he often deflects to attack others when feeling vulnerable on this subject.
Trump’s repeated attacks on Harris’ allergies seem to highlight his own insecurities about aging and health, as he continues to insist he is in “perfect” shape despite public records to the contrary. As both candidates head into the final stretch of the 2024 campaign, the back-and-forth over health is likely to continue as a central narrative, drawing attention to the age and fitness of the individuals vying for the highest office in the land.
