Out of the blue, President Donald Trump announced he would head to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today for an annual dental and medical evaluation.
The White House described the visit as part of the president's regular preventative healthcare. This follows a previous trip to Walter Reed in October for what he said was "a routine yearly checkup and follow-up examination" -- while many pundits wondered why it was his third doctor's visit in a year.
The president also had an unscheduled dental appointment in Florida on May 2, and the reason was unclear.
"While the White House and Trump himself frequently proclaim he is in excellent health, his advanced age, swollen ankles, bruising on his hands and apparent bouts of drowsiness have raised questions about his fitness," Yahoo News reported.
As for what we know of his health, Trump experiences chronic venous insufficiency, a common venous disease that is not a serious health threat but can be painful and disabling. However, no evidence of more serious conditions was found in the previous health checks, as the president reported it.
He is quick to say he remains in excellent overall health and feels like a much younger man. A year ago, the White House released a glowing report on Trump's health, that included other things the fact he's lost 20 pounds since his last term.
Just finished my 6 month physical at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. Everything checked out PERFECTLY. Thank you to the great Doctors and Staff! Heading back to the White House. President DJT
— Commentary Donald J Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) May 26, 2026
( TruthSocial: May 26 2026, 12:40 PM ET )… pic.twitter.com/Mw4wjM3Y2Z
While presidents have access to medical care at the White House, they typically visit Walter Reed for more extensive care. Trump did not disclose why his exam was at Walter Reed, although it is worth noting that he turns 80 next month. That makes him the oldest person to assume the presidency, and the second-oldest to hold the office.
Former President Joe Biden was 82 when he left in 2025.
As for the bruising that keeps circulating in social media hotos of Trump's hands, his physician noted last year they "were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which the president takes as part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.”
