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Let’s run through some facts, shall we?
Fact #1: Donald Trump is 79 years old
Fact #2: He had his annual presidential physical in April
Fact #3: In July, the White House announced that the visible swelling in his ankles was the result of a condition known as Chronic Venous Insufficiency.
Fact #4: On October 10, he had another physical, which the White House described only as a “routine yearly checkup.”
Fact #5: On October 27, Trump told the media that during that second visit to Walter Reed, he underwent an MRI. “I gave you the full results,” Trump said. “We had an MRI, MRI and the machine, you know, the whole thing, and it was perfect.”
Fact #6: He did not give the “full results” or anything close to it.
All of which brings me to Wednesday afternoon when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked about the details of the MRI.
Here’s the exchange:
Reporter: One more: You recently said you’d check with President Trump about why he needed to get an MRI on his recent trip to Walter Reed. Do you have any more detail on that?
Leavitt: I do, and I’m glad you asked. As stated in the memo provided on October 10th, President Trump received advanced imaging at Walter Reed Medical Center as part of his routine physical examination. The full results were reviewed by attending radiologists and consultants, and all agreed that President Trump remains in exceptional physical health, which I know all of you will see with your own eyes later this evening when he opens up his dinner to the press, and perhaps you will see him when he signs the bill to reopen the federal government, so stay tuned on plans for that.
And, scene. Literally. Leavitt ended the press conference after that question.
Go back and read Leavitt’s answer. She promises that she has more details on the MRI that Trump underwent. Then she says absolutely nothing.
Like, what part of the body did the MRI focus on? Why did President Trump’s doctors feel that he needed it? What did they find — beyond it being “perfect”?
This is basic stuff. Especially when we are talking about a nearly 80-year-old man who also happens to hold the most powerful job in the world. And who, we know, doesn’t eat well, sleep enough or exercise at all.
And, yes, I am more aware of health questions about the president given what happened with Joe Biden. As I have said, I (and the broader press corps) should have asked more and harder questions about just how much age was slowing Biden — mentally and physically.
But, this really isn’t a partisan stance. The sitting president of the United States made an unscheduled visit to Walter Reed last month for a second “annual” checkup. The White House made no mention of the fact that he underwent an MRI during that visit. And they continue to offer zero details about the MRI — why it was deemed necessary and what it found.
If the utter lack of transparency from the Biden administration about the president’s health was unacceptable (and it was) then we have to hold the Trump administration to the same standard.
And they aren’t even coming close to meeting that standard.
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