Trump to undergo physical exam on Friday, White House calls it "routine" after bruised right hand and swollen ankle spark speculation.

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Trump will undergo a physical examination this Friday. Although the White House has described it as a “routine” checkup, the timing—just six months after his previous annual physical and amid growing speculation about his health—has drawn significant attention.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the news in a statement on Wednesday. She said, “President Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday morning to meet with troops and deliver remarks, and will have his ‘routine annual physical’ during the visit.”

The timing is noteworthy because the 79-year-old president only completed his annual physical six months ago (on April 11). Since then, Trump has been observed with swollen ankles and persistent bruising on his right hand.

Leavitt also revealed in her statement that Trump is considering a trip to the Middle East soon after his checkup. As the oldest president in U.S. history at the time of taking office, Trump’s physical condition is critical to evaluating the continuity and stability of his ability to govern in a possible second term.

Bruising and Swelling Raise Health Concerns

In recent months, discussions about Trump’s health have focused on two visible signs: swelling in his ankles and bruising on his right hand.

The White House stated in July that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. His doctors explained that the ankle swelling is related to this venous condition, which is caused by damaged valves inside veins struggling to return blood from the legs to the heart. Leavitt previously called this a “common condition, especially in people over 70.” According to the Cleveland Clinic, roughly one in 20 adults is affected.

Regarding the persistent bruising on Trump’s right hand, the White House said this was due to “mild soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking,” and was also a side effect of the aspirin therapy he takes as a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease.

The White House has defined this checkup as “scheduled” and “routine,” and has combined it with Trump’s visit to Walter Reed Medical Center and his meetings with military personnel. However, the short interval—just six months since the last annual physical—remains the focus of outside questioning.

The health of U.S. presidents has always been central to discussions of transparency. The early timing of this physical has drawn public attention, especially after former President Biden withdrew from the 2024 election amid questions about his health. It is reported that during his first term, Trump was sometimes reluctant to proactively disclose his medical evaluations.

After disclosing his condition in July, a memorandum from White House physician Sean Barbabella said that doctors found “no evidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease,” and “no signs of heart failure, impaired kidney function, or systemic illness.”

Despite outside questions, Trump himself continues to express confidence in his health. During an interview on Monday, he said:

“I feel as good as I did 30 years ago, maybe even better.”

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