President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he underwent an MRI scan during a recent medical checkup, describing the results as "perfect" while not disclosing the reason for the advanced imaging . The announcement has brought renewed attention to the 79-year-old president's health.
While flying to Tokyo on Air Force One, President Trump revealed to reporters that he had an MRI during his October 10 visit to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center . When asked about the reason for the scan, he deferred to his doctors, stating, "You can ask the doctors" .
This medical visit was Trump's second physical exam of the year, a departure from the typical cadence of one comprehensive physical annually for a sitting president . The White House has described the October visit as a "routine yearly checkup" and part of an "ongoing health maintenance plan" . White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially seemed unaware of the specific imaging conducted, telling reporters, "I don’t know the exact imaging that took place" .
The MRI disclosure follows previous White House announcements concerning the president's health. In July, a letter from Trump's physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed the president had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a common condition where veins in the legs have trouble sending blood back to the heart, which can cause swelling . The letter noted Trump reported "mild swelling" in his lower legs .
Dr. Barbabella also addressed persistent bruising on Trump's hands, attributing it to "minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin" . Aspirin, which Trump takes as part of a cardiovascular prevention regimen, can thin the blood and increase bruising .
Following the October checkup, Dr. Barbabella released a memo stating that President Trump "remains in exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, and physical performance" and noted the evaluation included "advanced imaging" . However, the memo did not mention the president's pre-existing vein condition or the reason for the MRI .
The White House has consistently played down health concerns, with the press secretary affirming that "the president is in incredibly good shape" . Despite these assurances, the unusual timing of a second physical and the unexplained need for an MRI have led to ongoing questions about the president's health .