Scrutiny over President Donald Trump's health records grew into a distinct political phenomenon in late May 2026 after the 79-year-old President spent more than three hours at Walter Reed for a medical examination and the White House initially declined to release the results. The Administration broke from its own past practice by not committing to publish the findings, a delay critics linked to the rise of public speculation. Three days later the White House released a three-page medical report signed by physician Sean Barbabella that concluded Trump is in "excellent health" and "fully fit" to perform his constitutional duties. An Economist/YouGov poll found that about 48 percent of US adults believe Trump is too old to be in the White House.
The Walter Reed visit
President Trump spent more than three hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on May 26, 2026 for what the White House described as preventive medical and dental checkups. Trump declared on social media that everything had checked out perfectly.
The disclosure delay
The White House initially did not commit to releasing results from the exam, breaking from its own past practice on presidential medical disclosures. Reporting tracked the three-day gap between the visit and a public release.
What the report says
The White House eventually released a three-page medical report signed by physician Sean Barbabella. It concluded that the President is in ‘excellent health' and ‘fully fit' to perform his constitutional duties.
Cognitive testing
Some of Trump's previous physicals have included the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; his physicians reported a 30 out of 30 score at his 2018 and 2025 checkups. Critics continue to point to public speeches as their counter-evidence.
Public mood
An Economist/YouGov poll found that about 48% of US adults believe Trump is too old to be in the White House, and more Americans think he is experiencing some kind of cognitive or physical decline than those who do not.
Mentioned in this story
Age 79; underwent the May 26 Walter Reed examination; declared the result perfect on social media.
Hosted the May 26 examination.
Signed the eventual three-page medical report concluding Trump is in excellent health.
Reported 48% of US adults believe Trump is too old to be in the White House.
Used in Trump's 2018 and 2025 physicals; physicians reported a 30 out of 30 score.