President Donald Trump is scheduled to undergo a medical and dental checkup on May 26 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the White House announced Monday evening, marking his fourth publicized medical visit since returning to office as the nation's oldest elected president approaches his 80th birthday next month.
The White House characterized the visit as an annual physical and regular preventive care, scheduled to take place about 10 days after Trump is expected to return from a summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The timing underscores the demanding schedule maintained by the commander in chief despite ongoing public scrutiny of his health.
Presidential Health Under Microscope
Trump turns 80 next month and was the oldest person elected U.S. president. The president's health has been the subject of intense scrutiny, and Trump has said he regretted getting imaging on his heart and abdomen last year because it raised public questions about his health.
Earlier Monday, Trump addressed health concerns directly at an Oval Office event, stating he feels the same as he did 50 years ago. "I feel literally the same," he said. "I don't know why. It's not because I eat the best foods." Last week, he joked about his exercise regimen, saying that he works out "like about one minute a day, max."
Trump has frequently criticized former President Joe Biden for age-related health and fitness issues, making his own medical transparency a politically sensitive matter.
Recent Medical History
In April 2025, about 1 year ago, Trump's doctor said after an annual physical exam that the president was "fully fit" to serve as commander in chief. His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said Trump was 20 pounds lighter than in a 2020 checkup that showed him bordering on obesity.
Months after the visit reported last April, Trump had a checkup after noticing what the White House described as "mild swelling" in his lower legs. Tests by the White House medical unit found that Trump had chronic venous insufficiency, a condition common in older adults that causes blood to pool in his veins.
At the time, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said bruising on the back of Trump's hands that has sometimes been covered by makeup was the result of irritation from frequent handshaking and aspirin use. Trump takes aspirin to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Preventive Care Approach
Trump later had an October medical exam about 7 months ago that the White House called a "semiannual physical," where he also got his yearly flu shot and a COVID-19 booster vaccine. He later told The Wall Street Journal that he underwent advanced imaging on his heart and abdomen in October as preventive screening.
In his first term, Trump had at least four medical exams in office, aside from a stay at Walter Reed when he got COVID-19 in October 2020, more than 5 years ago. His upcoming dental evaluation follows two other recent visits to a local dentist near his estate in Florida, where Trump often spends his weekends.
Why This Matters:
The president's health directly affects the stability of executive leadership and national security decision-making. As the oldest person elected to the presidency, Trump's medical transparency and fitness for office remain legitimate concerns for voters and policymakers who depend on consistent, capable leadership. The scheduled checkup demonstrates institutional accountability through routine medical oversight at a military medical facility. With Trump maintaining an active diplomatic schedule including high-stakes international summits, his physical capacity to execute the demanding responsibilities of the office carries implications for American interests abroad and policy continuity at home. The president's proactive approach to preventive care, including regular checkups and screenings, reflects responsible stewardship of the nation's chief executive position.