President Donald Trump is set to return to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday, October 10, 2025, for what the White House has described as a routine checkup—his second such visit in just six months. The announcement, made by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Thursday, has reignited public debate and speculation about the health and fitness of America’s oldest sitting president.
"I'm meeting with the troops and I'm also going to do sort of a semi-annual physical, which I do," Trump told reporters during an unrelated White House news conference. "I think I'm in great shape, but I'll let you know." He added, "Physically, I feel very good; mentally, I feel very good ... When I'm around, I like to check -- always early. Always be early." According to TNND, Trump insisted he had no difficulties and was simply keeping up with his health proactively.
This latest visit to Walter Reed comes just half a year after Trump’s last comprehensive physical on April 11, 2025, which the White House also labeled an “annual” examination. At that time, Dr. Sean Barbabella, the President’s White House physician, reported that Trump was “fully fit” to perform his presidential duties. The medical note detailed laboratory work, a physical exam, and a cognitive test, concluding that Trump remained in “excellent health,” as reported by CNN and TIME.
Yet, the frequency of these checkups—two within one year, and only six months apart—has raised eyebrows. Traditionally, presidents undergo a single comprehensive exam each year, making this semi-annual cadence a notable departure. The White House has not explained why a second visit is necessary, and has not responded to multiple requests for comment from media outlets such as TIME and CNN.
Trump’s health has been under particular scrutiny since the summer, when the White House disclosed that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency—a benign but common condition in people over the age of 70. According to TNND, this diagnosis followed “mild” swelling in Trump's legs and bruising on the back of one hand. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt explained that the condition was thoroughly evaluated and found to be well-managed, with all laboratory results within normal limits. An echocardiogram confirmed normal cardiac structure and function, and no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness were detected.
Dr. Barbabella’s summer report, cited by TIME and CBS News, further clarified that the president’s bruises were likely due to “minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin.” The physician also found no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease, and reiterated that Trump remained in “excellent” overall health.
Still, the president’s visible symptoms—swollen ankles and bruised hands—have fueled persistent rumors and skepticism about his fitness. A September YouGov survey, as reported by TIME, found that nearly two-thirds of Americans believe Trump’s health and age are affecting his ability to govern, with about 49% saying he is experiencing cognitive and physical decline. These concerns are magnified by Trump’s age: at 79, he set the record as the oldest person to assume the Oval Office, surpassing the previous record held by President Joe Biden.
Trump himself has tried to dispel the rumors, frequently citing his health evaluations as evidence of his vigor. On Monday, when asked by Newsmax how he was “holding up” given the demands of the job, Trump responded, “I feel the same or better than I did 30 years ago. But let’s not even talk about it because who knows? Who knows? Life is complex.”
Beyond the medical details, the issue of transparency—or lack thereof—has been a recurring theme. As TIME notes, presidents are not legally required to disclose their health status or the specifics of their medical exams. Trump’s April 2025 health report was the first extensive update since 2018, though sporadic updates had been issued over the years. On the campaign trail and in office, Trump has been selective about sharing his full medical records, sometimes downplaying or concealing more serious issues. During his first term, for example, Trump’s then-presidential physician Dr. Ronny Jackson issued glowing statements about the president’s health, at one point calling him “the healthiest president this nation has ever seen.”
However, Dr. Barbabella’s more recent assessments have been measured and straightforward, focusing on the facts. After the April 2025 physical, Barbabella wrote that Trump “remains in excellent health” and is “fully fit” to execute his duties, as reported by CNN and CBS News. The records also revealed that Trump had a colonoscopy in July 2024, with a recommendation for a follow-up in 2027, and that he bore minor sun damage and scarring from a gunshot wound sustained in July 2024.
Medical experts have weighed in on the situation, noting that it’s not unusual for older adults—especially those with chronic conditions—to see their doctors more than once a year. Dr. Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, told CNN, “Certainly, as we all get older, we often need more than one visit with our doctor in a year because we have various chronic problems that are being managed. (Trump) gets a higher standard of care than most of the rest of us.”
Presidents have access to basic medical care at the White House, but more extensive exams and procedures are usually done at Walter Reed. Trump’s visit on Friday will also include a planned meeting and remarks with troops stationed at the facility, a detail confirmed by multiple outlets. Afterward, he is expected to return to the White House and may soon travel to the Middle East to celebrate what he described as a “first phase” peace deal between Israel and Hamas. “We’re planning on leaving sometime Sunday, and I look forward to it,” Trump said. “Everybody’s celebrating.”
Despite the swirl of speculation, the White House maintains that all of Trump’s recent test results have been within normal limits and that his condition is stable and manageable. Chronic venous insufficiency, while potentially serious if left untreated, is common among older adults and can be controlled with medication or medical procedures if necessary. The White House has repeatedly emphasized that Trump remains in “excellent health.”
As the president prepares for his checkup and possible diplomatic travel, questions about transparency and fitness are likely to persist. With the nation watching closely, the outcome of Friday’s visit—and any forthcoming disclosures—will be scrutinized for clues about the health of the country’s oldest leader.
