Medical experts are sounding an alarm about reports that President Donald Trump's weight has risen from 215 pounds during the 2024 election campaign to 238 pounds. The newest medical records list him at 14 pounds more than last year and 23 pounds more than the 215 pounds documented when he was arrested in Georgia.
Trump's current weight puts him close to being classified as "obese," with a BMI of 29.7, which is considered "overweight" by NHS standards.
“We know that obesity is a strong risk factor for numerous health issues — as well as premature disability and death,” Dr. Scott Kahan, the director of the National Center for Weight and Wellness, told the Washington Post. “Addressing obesity to protect the president’s health should be a priority similar to ensuring Secret Service protections for his life.”
While doctors warn that obesity increases the risk of conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke, the White House has compared Trump's health to his predecessor, Joe Biden, emphasizing Trump's sharpness and work ethic.
"President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," White House physician Sean Barbabella wrote in a summary of the report that listed Trump's jump in weight. "His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being."
Gitanjali Srivastava, an obesity specialist, emphasizes that weight is not the only indicator of health, and other factors like body fat percentage and overall health should be considered.
Trump is well-known for his love of McDonald's and Diet Coke, and some even question if the current weight, even though it marks him as obese, is under reported.
Dr. Stuart Fischer, a former emergency room doctor and current internist, told the Daily Mail in June that “Someone has got to really quietly sit down and talk with him, and say, ‘You're playing with fire.’”
“The fact that his doctors haven't gotten through to him about weight, to me, is kind of interesting,” Fischer told the outlet. “It should be concerning.”
