Donald Trump has sharply criticized The New York Times over its reporting on his health, branding the coverage “fake” and even suggesting it is “treasonous.”
Why It Matters
At 79, Trump and his team have repeatedly emphasized that he is in strong health, despite public speculation fueled by visible bruising on his hand, signs of possible fatigue, and moments during events where he has appeared drowsy or his eyes have drooped.
His recent acknowledgment that he underwent an MRI exam prompted further scrutiny, particularly given that he is the oldest person ever inaugurated as U.S. president.
What To Know
In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said he routinely undergoes extensive medical testing, claiming that top physicians have awarded him “PERFECT Marks.”
He also said he has completed a cognitive test three times, asserting that he “aced all three of them in front of large numbers of doctors and experts.”
“Despite all of this, the time and work involved, the New York Times, and some others, like to pretend that I am ‘slowing up,’ and maybe not as sharp as I once was, or am in poor physical health, knowing that it is not true, and knowing that I work very hard, probably harder than I have ever worked before,” Trump wrote.
He went on to say that, “After all of the work I have done with the Medical Exams, Cognitive Exams, and everything else, I actually believe it’s seditious, perhaps even treasonous, for the New York Times and others to consistently do FAKE reports in order to libel and demean THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.”
Trump told reporters last month that he underwent an MRI at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October as part of what he called a “very standard” physical. He described the scan as routine and said he had “no idea what they analyzed.”
The White House later shared some information about the MRI, calling the results “perfectly normal” and framing the test as a component of his regular executive physical.
MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, is a non-invasive technique used to obtain detailed images of organs, tissues, and the skeletal system, often to evaluate brain and spinal health. It is commonly used to detect aneurysms, inner ear and eye conditions, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord disorders, strokes, tumors, and traumatic brain injury. MRIs can also be employed to assess the heart and other major organs.
While not typically performed as part of standard checkups, MRIs are considered one of the safer imaging methods because, unlike X-rays or CT scans, they do not rely on ionizing radiation.
According to a summary from Physician to the President Sean P. Barbabella, Trump underwent advanced cardiovascular and abdominal imaging as a preventive measure commonly used for men in his age group.
The report stated there was no evidence of arterial narrowing, inflammation, clotting, or structural abnormalities in the heart, major blood vessels, or abdominal organs. All appeared healthy and functioning within normal limits, leading the physician to conclude that Trump “remains in excellent overall health.”
Questions about the president’s health have intensified over the past year, particularly after repeated photographs showed bruising on his right hand. In July, the White House released a memo saying Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which his doctor characterized as “benign and common.”
The Times recently reported that Trump appeared to nod off during a White House event and wrote that “his battery shows signs of wear.”
What People Are Saying
In his post, Trump insisted: “I will know when I am ‘slowing up’ but it’s not now!”
