Trump age health concerns/ Trump cognitive health/ Trump medical disclosure 2024/ health transparency 2024 election/ Kamala Harris health report/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ If elected in 2024, Donald Trump would be the oldest president in U.S. history, but he’s choosing not to disclose detailed health information, breaking with tradition. Medical experts note concerns about his cognitive sharpness and physical health, raising questions about the impact on his campaign and ability to serve.
Trump’s Health in the Spotlight as Election Nears Quick Look
- Age Factor: At 78, Trump would be the oldest U.S. president if elected.
- Health Transparency: Trump has declined to share updated health details, diverging from prior norms.
- Public Health Clues: A few statements from doctors highlight general fitness, but omit details.
- Cognitive Health: Experts note concerns over cognitive clarity and memory from recent public appearances.
- Campaign Response: Harris’s campaign calls for more disclosure, underscoring the contrast between candidates.
Why Trump Isn’t Sharing Health Details Ahead of Possible 2nd Term
Deep Look
At 78 years old, Donald Trump would be the oldest U.S. president if elected, surpassing the record once set by President Joe Biden. However, despite his age, Trump’s campaign has not released new health details, a choice that diverges from longstanding presidential norms. Limited statements about his health have surfaced since Trump survived an assassination attempt in July, but these releases are missing key specifics, such as exact weight, blood pressure, or any mental health evaluations following the incident.
In July, Rep. Ronny Jackson, a former White House physician and a Trump ally, described a wound to Trump’s right ear from the attack. Trump’s personal physician, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, issued a statement in November claiming Trump was in “excellent health,” with “normal cardiovascular studies” and improvements in weight, though he did not specify if previously prescribed cholesterol medication was still in use. The campaign has not addressed whether Trump has since been diagnosed with any health conditions or mental health issues, prompting rivals like Vice President Kamala Harris to question his ability to lead.
Harris Campaign Emphasizes Transparency
Seeking a sharp contrast with Trump, Harris recently released a comprehensive health report detailing her own physical condition. The report covered recent exams, documented normal results in areas such as cardiovascular health, and listed minor issues like allergies. Harris’s campaign used the opportunity to issue a letter, signed by over 250 medical professionals, urging Trump to release his health records.
Public response to Trump’s health concerns has been mixed. Early 2024 polls indicate that Trump’s supporters are less concerned with his health than with Biden’s when he was running. However, Harris’s campaign has since narrowed the gap, with her supporters seeing Trump’s decision not to release details as problematic. Additionally, organizations like the Lincoln Project have launched ads attacking Trump’s age and mental acuity, a strategy aimed as much at provoking him as it is at swaying voters.
Trump’s Record on Health Transparency
During his first term, Trump’s administration kept his health details relatively private. For instance, his 2020 hospitalization with COVID-19 was downplayed, though his team did reveal that his last full checkup in 2019 listed him as obese with a weight of 243 pounds, placing him at increased risk for heart disease and diabetes. Trump has long avoided disclosing full details about his health history, including whether he’s continued to use medication for high cholesterol. Instead, his allies point to his public appearances and active lifestyle as evidence of his vitality.
In contrast to Harris, Trump has maintained a steady presence in public, giving extended speeches at rallies and fielding questions from the press. Still, some of these appearances have raised concerns. Trump often rambles, confusing names, events, and timelines, and making unplanned asides. In North Carolina, he seemed to forget meeting a veteran multiple times, while at another rally, he praised Tesla’s Elon Musk for firing unionizing workers, an unusual stance for a candidate vying for the working-class vote.
His speeches often veer off-topic, sometimes due to seemingly minor distractions, like a fly. At one rally, he stopped his speech to wonder about a fly’s presence before continuing. He frequently references his “beautiful body” and labels his speeches “flawless,” occasionally acknowledging the public’s concerns about his age and cognition.
The Medical Perspective on Trump’s Health
Health experts stress that cognitive sharpness and physical fitness are paramount for any president, particularly as they age. John R. Beard, director of the International Longevity Center at Columbia University, highlighted certain speech patterns that could signal cognitive issues in aging adults, such as rambling and sudden topic changes. However, Beard noted that such traits could simply reflect Trump’s speaking style and might not indicate decline unless they worsen.
Recently, the science news outlet STAT interviewed several aging specialists who analyzed clips of Trump’s speeches. Their findings included a rise in repetitive speech, all-or-nothing thinking, and disordered phrases since his first term. Dr. Eric Lenze, a geriatric psychiatrist at Washington University in St. Louis, recommended that presidential candidates over age 75 undergo detailed cognitive evaluations rather than brief screenings like the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) test Trump has previously cited.
Life expectancy data suggest that Trump, at 78, has about a 79% likelihood of surviving a four-year term. Harris, at 59, faces a 97% probability of doing so. But experts like S. Jay Olshansky, an aging researcher at the University of Illinois, stress that physical function, not age alone, should be the focus when evaluating a candidate’s health. Olshansky and others argue that comprehensive health disclosures, including cognitive assessments, would provide a clearer picture of any candidate’s readiness.
With the election drawing near, Trump’s decision not to release detailed health information underscores a rare departure from precedent, especially as voters weigh their options between candidates of advanced age. Whether these concerns will impact voter decisions remains uncertain, but they add a critical layer to the discourse surrounding Trump’s candidacy.
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