After Five-Hour Physical, Trump Boasts Perfect Cognitive Score

President Donald Trump underwent a nearly five-hour comprehensive physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, voluntarily including a cognitive assessment that he claims to have completed perfectly. The 78-year-old president, who became the oldest individual ever sworn into office in January, told reporters he “got every answer right” on what he described as a “pretty well-known test.”

“I took a cognitive test and I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right,” Trump stated while speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One en route to Florida. The president’s decision to include a cognitive evaluation appears deliberately designed to distinguish himself from his predecessor, as he explicitly noted, “I wanted to be a little different than Biden,” according to Bloomberg.

The White House has committed to releasing the complete medical report by Sunday, potentially offering more specific details about the cognitive assessment administered and other aspects of the president’s health status. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt promised the results would be made public “as soon as we possibly can.”

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Age and Presidential Fitness

Trump’s physical examination comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding presidential age and fitness following the 2024 election, which initially featured the two oldest major party candidates in American history. While concerns about mental and physical capability primarily centered on Biden during the campaign, Trump has faced his own questions about age-related decline.

“I’ve taken the cognitive test, I think, four times and gotten nothing wrong. That’s what the American people want. Biden refused, Kamala refused,” Trump stated, according to Fox News. This framing suggests Trump views cognitive testing as both a political advantage and a means of reassuring the public about his fitness for office.

Despite occasional verbal miscues and rambling speeches that critics have highlighted, Trump has consistently projected confidence about his mental acuity. Before Friday’s examination, he posted on Truth Social, “I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!”

First Comprehensive Health Assessment of Second Term

Friday’s examination carries additional significance as Trump’s first full medical evaluation since returning to the White House. It also marks his first comprehensive assessment since surviving an assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, last July, when a bullet grazed his ear during a campaign rally.

“I was there for a long time,” Trump told reporters regarding the extensive appointment. “I think I did very well.” The president indicated he underwent “every test you can imagine” during the visit, suggesting a thorough evaluation of his physical condition.

Beyond cognitive performance, Trump expressed confidence in his overall health. “Overall, I think I’m in very — I felt I was in very good shape,” he stated, adding that doctors provided “a little bit” of lifestyle modification advice without specifying these recommendations.

Unexplained Physical Concerns

Despite Trump’s positive assessment of his health, questions have persisted about certain physical symptoms observed in recent months. The president has been spotted with visible bruising on his hand during several public appearances, including while hosting French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House in February.

When questioned about these marks previously, Leavitt attributed them to Trump “constantly working and shaking hands,” an explanation that MSNBC notes has drawn skepticism from medical professionals. The forthcoming medical report may address these concerns more comprehensively.

Unlike standard annual physicals, which typically include blood work, cardiovascular assessments, and evaluations of major organ systems, Trump’s examination specifically included a cognitive component. This approach represents a departure from recent presidential medical assessments, including those conducted during his first term.

Historical Context and Comparison

Trump’s approach to health transparency has evolved over time. During his first term, his medical disclosures sometimes generated controversy, particularly regarding their completeness and accuracy. In 2018, then-White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson reported that Trump had “absolutely no cognitive or mental issues whatsoever” after administering the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

The president frequently referenced this cognitive test during the 2020 campaign, particularly a portion involving animal identification that he often recounted in detail at rallies. It remains unclear whether Friday’s assessment utilized the same MoCA tool or a different evaluation method.

By contrast, Biden’s annual physical examinations did not include cognitive assessments despite widespread concerns about his mental fitness that intensified following his problematic debate performance against Trump last June. That debate ultimately contributed to Biden’s decision to withdraw from the race and Vice President Harris becoming the Democratic nominee.

Looking Ahead

As the White House prepares to release Trump’s complete medical report this weekend, both political observers and healthcare professionals will be examining the disclosure for its comprehensiveness and transparency. The administration’s promise of full disclosure sets a potential new standard for presidential health reporting.

“A good heart, a good soul — a very good soul,” Trump concluded when summarizing his health status to reporters, adding a spiritual dimension to his physical assessment. Whether the official medical report provides similar reassurances remains to be seen as the White House prepares for Sunday’s release.

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