Donald Trump’s health has drawn renewed scrutiny after a noticeable mark appeared on his hand this week. Observers on social media spotted a large bruise, which seemed to be lightly covered with foundation. The unusual sight prompted fresh questions, especially given Trump’s recent diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

CVI occurs when veins in the legs become damaged and struggle to function properly. This condition, while manageable, has fueled further speculation about the president’s overall health.

White House Confirms Walter Reed Visit

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, October 10, for his yearly checkup.

“On Friday morning, President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center for a planned meeting and remarks with the troops,” Leavitt said.
“While there, he will stop by for his routine yearly checkup. He will then return to the White House. President Trump is considering going to the Middle East shortly thereafter.”

CNN noted that Trump had already visited Walter Reed in April for what the White House described as his annual physical examination. This marks his second annual exam in one year, a timing that many observers found unusual.

Experts Weigh In

According to Jacob Appel, professor at the Icahn School of Medicine and presidential health historian, multiple annual checkups are not unprecedented.

“It is rare, but not unheard of, for the president to have more than one annual check-up without a specific medical cause,” Appel told McClatchy News.

Trump’s April exam included detailed records of weight, body mass index, surgeries, mental health screenings, cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Exceptional Health Reported

For his October exam, Trump was declared to be in “exceptional health” by his physician, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella.

“President Donald J. Trump remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and physical performance,” Barbabella wrote in a White House memo.

The memo also confirmed that Trump received his yearly flu shot and a COVID-19 booster, and noted that his cardiac age was approximately 14 years younger than his actual age.

Trump Calls It a ‘Semiannual Physical’

Amid discussions about having two exams in one year, Trump referred to the October visit as a “semiannual physical.”

Ahead of the checkup, he told the Miami Herald:

“I think I’m in great shape, but I’ll let you know…Is there wood around here? I’ll knock on it.”

Boasting About Past Health Assessments

True to form, Trump used the opportunity to highlight his fitness compared to previous presidents. Speaking to Navy sailors last week, he recalled his former White House doctor, Ronny Jackson, saying he was in “the best shape of all the presidents.”

“He was also the doctor for Barack Hussein Obama…for a man named Bush. And at a press conference, they asked him, ‘Who’s in the best shape, who’s the healthiest?’ He said, ‘That’s easy. President Donald Trump!’ And I said, ‘I love this guy!’”