The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, abruptly ended a briefing after facing further questions regarding President Donald Trump’s recent medical assessment. One week after saying she would “check back” with the president about why he underwent an MRI during his latest physical examination, Leavitt was pressed again for clarification. She reiterated that the MRI was part of “advanced imaging” carried out at Walter Reed Medical Center and insisted that radiologists and consultants had confirmed the president remained in “exceptional” health. However, her statement added no new detail beyond the original memo issued on 10 October.
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Reporters were not given an opportunity to ask follow-up questions, as Leavitt left the room shortly afterwards, concluding what became one of her shortest briefings to date. The sensitive nature of the topic was evident, particularly given recent speculation surrounding the 79-year-old president’s health. Trump has repeatedly maintained that he is in excellent condition and has often highlighted his performance on cognitive tests administered in previous years. Despite these assurances, concerns have grown following several public moments in which he mixed up names, places, or appeared fatigued during official events.
Questions about Trump’s wellbeing began earlier in the year when photographs showed the president with noticeably swollen ankles and bruising on his hand. The White House later disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition affecting blood flow back to the heart. They attributed the bruising to frequent handshaking and an accompanying aspirin regimen. Yet the revelation that his October examination also included an MRI—a procedure not typically part of routine check-ups—has raised further doubts among medical professionals and political observers alike.
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Specialists have noted that MRIs are generally prompted by symptoms, such as neurological issues or back pain, rather than conducted as a matter of course during standard physical assessments. This has led doctors, including cardiologist Dr Jonathan Reiner, to argue that the public deserves greater transparency regarding why the MRI was ordered, which consultants were involved, and what the findings revealed. As scrutiny continues, the White House appears increasingly keen to control the narrative, even as calls for clarity grow louder.
