Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump, who long spread claims about the health of political opponents, now faces similar rumors about his own mental and physical condition. He called the reports “fake news” and criticized the media.
For years, Trump labeled rivals as unfit. He called Jeb Bush “low energy” during the 2016 Republican primaries, questioning his stamina despite Bush’s active lifestyle and professional work record.
Trump also attacked Ben Carson in 2015, falsely claiming the neurosurgeon had a “pathological temper” and alleging violent behavior, claims that were widely debunked at the time by multiple sources.
Ted Cruz was another target. Trump called him “a totally unstable individual” and “the single biggest liar I’ve ever come across,” even stating the senator had a mental problem during the 2016 campaign.
During the 2016 general election, Trump suggested Hillary Clinton’s pneumonia hid a more serious condition. He pointed to her coughing and claimed it showed hidden health issues without evidence.
In the 2020 campaign, Trump criticized Joe Biden’s cognitive state, claiming he was “mentally shot” and “not mentally equipped to be president,” statements widely questioned and fact-checked by reporters.
Trump later targeted Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. He claimed her medical report showed urticaria and other allergic conditions, saying these were serious enough to impair her functioning, without credible proof.
While attacking others, Trump kept his own health secret. He broke the long-standing tradition of candidates releasing detailed medical records to the public.
In 2016, Dr. Harold Bornstein issued a letter calling Trump “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” Soon after, White House staff took his medical records, an action Bornstein described as a “raid.”
Dr. Ronny Jackson, White House physician in 2018, praised Trump’s “great genes” and claimed he could live to 200 if he followed a healthier diet. Observers questioned the report, especially his listed weight.
A secret 2019 Walter Reed visit raised speculation because the White House gave no explanation. It was later revealed to be a routine colonoscopy, but the secrecy fueled rumors about Trump’s health.
After a July 2024 assassination attempt where Trump was shot in the ear, his campaign released vague statements and prevented doctors from speaking publicly, increasing public curiosity.
In April 2025, White House physician Sean Barbabella reported Trump’s weight as 224 pounds and described him as active. The report noted frequent golf and public appearances but did not fully explain circulation problems.
Social media fueled much of the speculation. Photos of Trump’s swollen ankles and bruised hands went viral, prompting debates over his fitness and pushing hashtags like #TrumpHealth to trend online.
Trump dismissed the rumors in August 2025, blaming the media and calling the coverage fake. Critics argue that the president is now facing the consequences of tactics he used against others.
Rick Wilson, former Republican strategist, said, “It’s the apotheosis of karma for the man who pretended Hillary was on death’s door. Mr. ‘Low Stamina’ is now the butt of his own joke.”
Public opinion is divided. Supporters say the rumors are false and politically motivated. Critics continue questioning his fitness for office. A YouGov poll shows 55% of Americans want Trump to release full medical records.
The focus on health comes as economic and legal pressures grow. Rising costs, unresolved Epstein files, and lawsuits such as a $10 billion defamation case against The Wall Street Journal keep Trump under scrutiny.
Without transparent disclosure, speculation is unlikely to end. Observers suggest that the president’s long-standing secrecy, combined with his history of attacking rivals, fuels public distrust and shapes voter perception.
Trump’s dismissal of concerns reflects a familiar strategy. Yet the public sees a clear irony in a leader once attacking others’ health while avoiding disclosure about his own condition, According to localstories247.
