President Donald Trump will head to Walter Reed Friday morning for what the White House is calling a “semi-annual” checkup. It’s his second trip this year.
The appointment comes as the president also plans to visit troops on site and prepares for a possible trip to Egypt this weekend for an official signing of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.
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Friday’s visit diverges from the usual once-a-year presidential physical, but the White House says it’s a routine visit for monitoring health, not managing a crisis. Trump’s aides noted it will nonetheless draw scrutiny of the president’s vitality.
On Thursday, reporters asked Trump about the visit to Walter Reed:
I’m meeting with the troops, and I’m also going to do a sort of semi-annual physical, which I do. And I think I’m in great shape, but I’ll let you know. But I know I have no difficulty thus far. Is there wood around here? I’ll knock on it. No difficulty. Physically, I feel very good. Mentally, I feel very good. You know, I did about six, seven months ago, I do physicals. I like to, when I’m around, I like to check always early, always be early. It’s a lesson for a lot of people.
— President Donald Trump
The president’s health
After Trump’s last checkup in April, Trump’s doctor said the president was “fully fit.” The White House also released a memo saying the president has well-controlled high cholesterol and praising both Trump’s robustness and his golf game.
Then, in July, Trump’s physician disclosed a common, manageable vein condition called chronic venous insufficiency, which causes swelling in the ankles.
The diagnosis came after photographs showed the president with swollen ankles and makeup covering an afflicted portion of his hand.
Trump, now 79, has long claimed his exams demonstrate his vitality.
