Trump Heads to Walter Reed for Semiannual Physical/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump will visit Walter Reed Medical Center on Friday for what he calls a “semiannual physical.” The checkup comes just months after his April physical and ahead of a planned Middle East trip. The White House describes the visit as routine, despite the short gap since his last exam.
Trump’s Walter Reed Visit Quick Looks
- Trump undergoing “semiannual physical” at Walter Reed Friday morning
- Comes six months after April’s full physical exam
- White House calls it a routine checkup despite timing questions
- Trump says he’s “in great shape” ahead of Middle East trip
- Visit occurs before planned ceasefire mission in the Middle East
- April exam found Trump fully fit for presidential duties
- Trump lost 20 pounds since 2020, per his doctor
- Diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency in July
- Bethesda, Maryland-based Walter Reed to host exam
- Trump passed cognitive screening in his April physical
Deep Look
President Trump Undergoes ‘Semiannual’ Physical at Walter Reed Ahead of Middle East Trip
WASHINGTON — Oct. 10, 2025 — President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday for what he described as a “semiannual physical,” raising questions due to the timing—just six months after his last full physical examination in April.
The visit, confirmed earlier this week by the White House, comes as the president prepares to embark on a diplomatic mission to the Middle East, following a breakthrough ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
White House: Routine or Remarkable?
While White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt referred to the visit as a “routine yearly checkup,” the president offered a different characterization.
“I’m meeting with the troops, and I’m also going to do a, sort of, semiannual physical, which I do,” Trump said in the Oval Office on Thursday.
“I think I’m in great shape, but I’ll let you know.”
The administration declined to elaborate on why the president was receiving another health evaluation so soon after his last, fueling mild speculation about the motivation behind the visit.
Trump, who is 79 years old, is expected to return to the White House following the checkup at Walter Reed, located in Bethesda, Maryland.
Recap of April Exam
Trump’s April 2025 physical concluded with a favorable report from Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, the White House physician. The summary described Trump as:
- “Fully fit to serve as commander in chief”
- Having lost 20 pounds (9 kilograms) since his June 2020 exam
- Maintaining an “active lifestyle” that supports his health
- Displaying no concerning results in a cognitive screening test
Recent Health Update: July Diagnosis
In July, the White House disclosed that the president underwent an unscheduled medical evaluation after experiencing mild swelling in his lower legs. The incident led to a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition common in older adults.
This condition occurs when the valves in veins responsible for moving blood back toward the heart begin to weaken, causing blood to pool, especially in the lower extremities. While typically manageable, the condition can require regular monitoring.
Despite the diagnosis, officials reported that Trump’s condition was non-life-threatening and well-controlled, adding that the president remained active and engaged in his duties.
Strategic Timing Before Diplomatic Travel
The timing of the checkup may be more about public optics than medical necessity, given Trump’s impending overseas travel. The president is expected to participate in a ceasefire signing ceremony related to the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East later this week.
A clean bill of health before such a high-profile trip could provide reassurance both domestically and internationally, particularly as Trump continues to emphasize his stamina and fitness amid growing attention on the ages of U.S. political leaders.
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