Is Donald Trump Healthy? Here’s What a Doctor Says

With the U.S. Presidential election three weeks away and early voting now underway in some states, the health of the two main party candidates has become a prominent question for voters. Given the presidency’s stress and demands, candidates have historically disclosed their medical records and their doctors’ affirmation of physical and mental fitness to help voters make an informed choice about whom they’re choosing to lead the nation for the coming four years.

This weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris released a detailed health report. In it, White House physician Joshua R. Simmons, MD, FAAEM, who identified himself in the statement as Harris’ primary care physician for the past three and a half years, reported Harris is “a healthy 59-year-old female” who is “up to date on all preventive care recommendations,” as well as “in excellent health” and possessing “the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the presidency.”

Now there’s mounting pressure for former President Donald Trump to follow suit. In an August 2024 CBS News interview, Trump mentioned he plans to release his medical records following a recent examination, though he has not yet done so.

Age has also been a major topic for voters, especially during this election cycle, which initially included President Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. After Biden stepped down from the race in July 2024, attention shifted to Trump and his age. If Trump were elected, at 78 years old, he would set a record by becoming the oldest president at the time of inauguration, surpassing Biden—who was also 78 at his inauguration but younger by a few months.

According to data from the Social Security Administration, a 78-year-old male has an average life expectancy of an additional 8.95 years. However, it’s important to emphasize that individual life spans can differ from statistical averages. The actual life expectancy can be influenced by various factors, including family and medical history, as well as lifestyle choices. Trump’s parents both lived long lives; his father lived to age 93 and battled Alzheimer’s, while his mother passed away at 88, though her cause of death was not publicly disclosed.

Ahead, we explore the current health status of former President Trump, examining what is known and what remains unclear.

Here’s what we know about Donald Trump’s health

2023 medical update

On November 20, 2023, Trump shared a health update on his Truth Social account, signed by Dr. Bruce Aronwald, DO, who has been Trump’s personal physician since 2021. In the update, Dr. Aronwald reported, “President Trump’s overall health is excellent.” He noted that Trump’s routine physical and cognitive exams showed results well within normal limits, and his cognitive functions were described as “exceptional.”

Dr. Aronwald highlighted improvements in Trump’s latest lab tests, attributing these to weight loss due to a healthier diet and regular physical activity. He confirmed that cardiovascular evaluations showed normal results and all cancer screenings were negative.

It’s important to note that in 2018, Trump was diagnosed with coronary artery disease, a condition commonly found in white males of his age group that involves the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to plaque buildup, which can lead to heart attacks.

The medical update, though, lacked detailed metrics such as specific figures for weight loss. For context, Trump’s 2019 physical reported his weight at 243 pounds with a height of 6’3”, placing his BMI at 30.4, which categorizes him as obese according to the CDC. It also omitted a blood pressure reading, cholesterol levels, detailed medical conditions, or information about ongoing medications, all of which were typically included in previous examinations.

Trump’s previous medical evaluations

From a press briefing in January 2018 by Dr. Ronny Jackson, MD, then Trump’s physician, we know that Trump was taking the following medications:

• Rosuvastatin (Crestor) for cholesterol levels
• Aspirin for cardiac health
• Finasteride (Propecia) to prevent male-pattern hair loss
• Iivermectin cream (Soolantra) for treating rosacea

Dr. Jackson also confirmed that Trump was up-to-date with his preventive screenings and vaccinations.

A medical report in February 2019 by Dr. Sean Conley, DO, who was then the President’s physician, indicated no significant changes to Trump’s medical or surgical history. However, there was a noted increase in the dosage of Trump’s statin medication.

Trump’s cognitive health

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

As previously mentioned, Trump’s family history includes Alzheimer’s disease, which is significant as genetics can be a risk factor for this condition, but, it is important to note that a genetic predisposition does not necessarily mean one will develop the disease.

The National Institute on Aging identifies several other risk factors for Alzheimer’s. These include advanced age, particularly being over 65, and medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity. Lifestyle factors, including physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol intake, and smoking, also significantly contribute to the risk.

Prompted by concerns about his cognitive abilities, Trump requested the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during his January 2018 health checkup. MoCA is a widely used screening tool to assess cognitive function. Dr. Jackson reported that Trump scored 30 out of 30, suggesting normal cognitive function. In the six and a half years since then, there have been no updates on any further assessments.

Trump’s mental health has also been a topic of fervent discussion, particularly in light of his often contentious public appearances and divisive rhetoric. These factors have fueled widespread speculation about his mental fitness and decision-making capabilities. In 2017, a group of mental health professionals signed a petition advocating for his removal from office under the 25th Amendment, citing concerns over what they perceived as serious mental illness. There have also been discussions suggesting a possible narcissistic personality disorder, although no official diagnosis has been made by his physicians.

In response to these debates, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) reaffirmed its commitment to the Goldwater Rule with a statement in January 2018. This ethical guideline advises psychiatrists against offering professional opinions about public figures without direct examination. The rule aims to prevent the misuse of psychiatric evaluations in media, books, or on social platforms, ensuring the integrity of the psychiatric profession.

2024 assassination attempt

In July 2024, Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, which tragically resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to multiple others.

According to a memo from Dr. Jackson, released by the Trump campaign, Trump was struck by a bullet just near his right ear. The projectile came dangerously close to his head—less than a quarter of an inch away—before grazing the top of his ear.

Dr. Jackson detailed the injury, noting it produced a two-centimeter-wide wound that penetrated to the cartilaginous part of the ear. This caused significant bleeding and considerable swelling of the upper ear. Despite the severity, the blunt nature of the wound meant that sutures were unnecessary. Dr. Jackson also confirmed that Trump was recovering as expected.

Although such a traumatic event naturally raises concerns about potential post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Trump has reported that he is not experiencing PTSD following the attempt on his life.

2020 COVID diagnosis

Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

In October 2020, Trump tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His three-day hospitalization was reportedly due to symptoms including fever and labored breathing. Treatment included an antiviral, experimental antibody therapy, and a steroid.

Further details emerged in 2021, revealing that his condition may have been far more serious. His former Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, disclosed that at one point, Trump’s oxygen levels had dropped to 86%. He may have also experienced lung infiltrates, a problem associated with pneumonia.

Long COVID concerns

Long COVID refers to a range of symptoms that can continue for months after the initial coronavirus infection has cleared. These symptoms can include fatigue, shortness of breath, “brain fog,” joint pain, and other ongoing complications that affect daily functioning. Despite the severity of his COVID-19 experience, there have been no confirmed reports of Trump suffering from Long COVID symptoms.

Lifestyle considerations

The lifestyle choices of a presidential candidate are also important indicators of their overall health. During his 2018 press briefing, Dr. Jackson pointed out that Trump benefits from a lifelong abstinence from tobacco and alcohol. However, he also mentioned that Trump could improve his health by adopting a diet lower in fat and carbohydrates and by incorporating regular exercise, given his well-documented preference for fast food and Diet Coke. CNN reported that a registered dietitian from Walter Reed was brought in to consult with White House kitchen staff on implementing healthier dietary options.

Adopting a heart-healthy diet is important for Trump, given his past diagnosis of coronary artery disease. A heart-healthy diet includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, which can help reduce bad cholesterol levels and improve overall cardiovascular health.

When it comes to physical activity, Trump is an avid golfer, having hit the links more than 280 times during his presidency. Golfing is considered a moderate form of exercise that can be beneficial when players choose to walk the course. The activity involves a range of movements that can engage the core, shoulders, and back. However, the level of physical exertion in golf can vary greatly depending on the style of play.

For optimal health benefits, the American Heart Association recommends that adults engage in at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity, along with muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days per week. Incorporating golf alongside other forms of exercise can help create a more balanced and comprehensive fitness regimen.

For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy by Reader’s Digest newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:

• Patients Who Have This Type of Doctor Tend To Live Longer, New UCLA Study Finds
• Here’s the Real Reason This Election Season Feels So Tense, Says an Expert on Healing
• President Jimmy Carter Turns 100: His 12 Daily Habits for a Long, Fulfilling Life
• This Is What Your Doctor First Notices About You