Public Scrutiny and Potential for Limited Transparency

President Donald Trump, the oldest president to have been elected, is scheduled to undergo his annual physical examination this Friday morning. The examination will take place at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Washington D.C., conducted by his personal physician, Captain Sean Barbabella. This will be the first physical exam of his second term.

Trump, who will turn 79 in June, is known for his preference for fast food and soda, particularly Diet Coke. Like former president Joe Biden, he does not consume alcohol. He is also an avid golfer and frequently travels to Mar-a-Lago on weekends to play.

Trump expressed his positive outlook on his health, stating he feels well. However, it remains uncertain whether the president will share the results of his physical exam with the public. Historically, Trump has been hesitant to release medical information. During his campaign last year, he declined to release his medical records.

When Trump has released medical information, it has generally been presented in a positive light. In 2015, his doctor, the late Dr. Harold Bornstein, released a letter claiming Trump would be the healthiest president ever elected. Bornstein described Trump's medical exam as showing only positive results, with astonishingly excellent lab results, and extraordinary physical strength and stamina. However, Bornstein later admitted the letter was dictated by Trump himself.

During his first term, when Trump was hospitalized with Covid in 2020, his doctors at Walter Reed faced criticism for not being fully transparent about his condition, providing conflicting accounts. The president's physician, Sean Conley, admitted to trying to present an upbeat description. While the White House typically decides what health data to release, there is no mandatory rule requiring the president to disclose this information.

A typical report includes vital statistics, such as height, weight, heart rate, and blood pressure, along with an analysis of the president's systems and laboratory results. In Trump's 2018 exam, his physician provided a highly positive assessment, describing his health as excellent and very good. The only suggestion made was that Trump could benefit from a healthier diet and more exercise. Similar positive information can be expected if the president chooses to release the report.

The last time Trump released medical information was following a minor injury sustained at a rally last summer. His doctor stated the wound did not require stitches. Public and media speculation regarding Trump's mental and physical health has been ongoing. Despite his claims of good health, his age and accusations from former White House employees have fueled concerns about his stability. Trump has always maintained a degree of privacy regarding his personal life.

In contrast, Biden released more detailed health analytics during his presidency, likely in response to accusations of his unfitness for office.