Trump’s Annual Health Exam Comes Amid Public Scrutiny

US President Donald Trump will undergo a routine annual health check at Walter Reed Military Hospital on Tuesday. The examination comes after months of public questions about his health.

Trump, who will turn 80 next month, has faced media attention after photographs showed him with a rash on his neck, swollen ankles and a bruised hand covered with makeup. The White House said these were normal and harmless health issues.

White House physician Sean Barbabella said the president uses the cream as a “preventative skin treatment”. He said the swelling in Trump’s legs was linked to a common venous condition and the bruise on his hand was caused by frequent handshakes.

Trump has previously said he also underwent an MRI scan, which he described as a standard part of the examination. Barbabella later stated that the president’s “heart age” was about 14 years younger than his actual age.

The president also dismissed speculation that he had fallen asleep during some meetings. “I did not fall asleep. I just closed my eyes because I wanted to leave there as soon as possible”, he said in February.

(reuters, bak)