President Donald Trump is set to undergo his annual physical exam next month at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, according to a statement sent to Newsweek by the White House communications team. The statement, attributed to Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, has already sparked speculation about the 78-year-old president’s health.
A President Focused on Fitness
Trump has long emphasized his physical well-being, particularly during last year’s election cycle, using his health to draw contrasts with his then-opponents, former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris. Now, as he embarks on his second term, he remains the oldest U.S. president ever inaugurated—just slightly edging out Biden, who held the record before him.
Trump’s past medical evaluations have been a topic of scrutiny, especially during the latter years of his first administration. His final White House physical in 2020 revealed obesity and elevated blood pressure, though his then-physician, Navy Dr. Sean Conley, maintained that Trump was in good health with no significant changes from prior exams. Unlike a legal requirement, the president is not obligated to release his medical results, but since President Richard Nixon began the practice, public disclosure has become an expectation.
A New Doctor and Security Concerns
The choice of Dr. Sean Barbabella as Trump’s new physician has raised eyebrows. A highly decorated U.S. Navy captain with extensive combat trauma experience, Barbabella lacks prior White House medical unit experience, instead specializing in emergency and tactical medicine with deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some analysts suggest his appointment underscores security concerns following two assassination attempts against Trump during last year’s heated election campaign.
Military doctors often serve as personal physicians to U.S. presidents, but Barbabella’s combat-focused background signals an unusual pick—one that may reflect heightened concerns about potential threats against the president.
What to Expect from the Exam
The upcoming physical will include standard tests such as blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, heart rate, and weight assessments. Notably, it will not require cognitive or psychiatric evaluations, according to The Washington Post.
Despite avoiding alcohol and smoking, Trump’s well-documented love of fast food remains a staple of his diet. A viral post-election photo showed him indulging in McDonald’s aboard his private jet, accompanied by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., billionaire Elon Musk, and his son Donald Trump Jr.
With Trump’s physical just weeks away, political observers and medical experts alike will be watching closely to see if his health remains a political talking point—or if it sparks new debates about his fitness for office.
