WASHINGTON – Should he emerge victorious in next month’s election, Donald Trump would set a record as the oldest individual in U.S. history to be elected president. However, at age 78, the Republican nominee is hesitant to provide any recent updates regarding his physical or mental health, which breaks from a long-standing tradition among presidential candidates.
Over the past year, there have been few glimpses into Trump’s health. After surviving an assassination attempt in July, Rep. Ronny Jackson from Texas, a strong ally who previously served as Trump’s White House physician, released a memo noting a gunshot wound to Trump’s right ear. Additionally, in November, Trump’s personal physician, Dr. Bruce Aronwald, wrote a letter declaring him to be in “excellent” health with “exceptional” cognitive evaluations, also mentioning that his cardiovascular studies returned normal results and cancer screenings were negative. Furthermore, it was noted that Trump had successfully lost weight.
However, these updates did not delve into more fundamental health concerns, such as his blood pressure, precise weight, or whether he is still taking prescribed medication for heightened cholesterol levels. Importantly, his campaign has failed to confirm if he has received any diagnoses related to diseases or specific mental healthcare following the assassination attempt. This lack of information has opened the door for political opponents, including Democratic contender Kamala Harris, to question his age and capacity to fulfill presidential responsibilities well into his 80s.
Recently, Harris pointedly questioned the reasoning behind Trump’s reluctance to disclose medical information. She asked rhetorically, “Why does his staff want him to hide away?” while mocking Trump for choosing not to release records, opt out of debates, and skipping an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes.” She suggested that there might be fears that the public would view him as too frail and unstable to lead the country.
Historically, Trump has not had a transparent record regarding his health. For instance, during his COVID-19 hospitalization in 2020, his team initially downplayed the situation. In spite of repeated requests for detailed health insights from media outlets, his representatives have consistently declined to provide further information.
In an effort to contrast herself with Trump, Harris recently made public a letter from her doctor that offered a comprehensive overview of her medical background including test results. It confirmed that she has no disorders related to heart, lungs, or neurological conditions, and is actively maintaining her health with up-to-date cancer screenings. Although her weight was not indicated, the 59-year-old vice president was noted to be in “excellent health” and possessing the necessary physical and mental capabilities for presidential duties.
Seizing the moment to shift focus onto Trump, the Harris campaign also disclosed a letter signed by over 250 medical professionals urging Trump to release his health records. Nonetheless, current polling suggests that age may not weigh heavily on the minds of voters. Surveys indicate that while voters were concerned about President Joe Biden’s mental acuity and physical health during his campaign, their apprehension regarding Trump has lessened since Harris took his place on the ticket.
The Lincoln Project is one of the few anti-Trump organizations advertising messages centered around his age, releasing an ad titled “One Old Man” that describes Trump in terms such as “weak” and “mentally declining.” These statements aim less to sway voter opinion and more to provoke a reaction from Trump, according to Lincoln Project co-founder Rick Wilson.
The situation is particularly ironic for Trump, who previously targeted the 81-year-old Biden’s age and fitness for office. Following a difficult debate performance in June, Biden faced increasing scrutiny from Democrats, ultimately leading to his withdrawal from the race in favor of Harris.
While there is no formal obligation for candidates to disclose health information, it has become customary for presidential nominees to voluntarily release medical records due to the job’s demanding nature, especially in light of age-related concerns. For instance, Republican nominee John McCain shared over 1,000 pages of medical history in 2008, when he was 72 and facing prompts regarding his age. Similarly, Biden, at 77, released a three-page letter from his physician to counter age-related skepticism.
Dr. Eric Lenze, a geriatric psychiatrist from Washington University in St. Louis, expressed that, particularly in today’s age of older candidates, limited transparency regarding health matters is increasingly unacceptable. Trump’s last detailed health evaluation occurred in 2019 when he was labeled obese with a weight of 243 pounds, which increases risks for heart disease and diabetes. This report also indicated escalated cholesterol medication dosages; despite not consuming alcohol or tobacco, Trump has shown little interest in physical fitness apart from playing golf.
Trump’s family medical history is also a concern, as his father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, a potential cognitive risk. Allies of Trump argue that his lively public engagements suggest he remains in good form, as he often takes questions from reporters and speaks for long periods at his rally events without rest.
Nevertheless, his public speaking sometimes reveals erratic speech patterns and confusion. Instances include a forum in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where Trump forgot meeting a veteran’s family multiple times, and failed to correctly identify fellow politicians and locations. During an August press conference filled with inaccuracies, he mistakenly claimed to have shared a helicopter ride with former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown—a claim that Brown later refuted.
Recently, at a rally in Wisconsin, Trump appeared to struggle with teleprompter cues while transitioning through various topics. He made comments about flies interrupting his speech, showcasing a series of disjointed thoughts that many observers found concerning. Despite acknowledging concerns about his age, he humorously dismissed doubts surrounding his cognitive health.
Medical experts consulted declined to offer opinions on Trump’s health or cognitive abilities without evaluations or access to his medical records. John R. Beard from Columbia University noted that unusual patterns of speech and logical inconsistencies could indicate cognitive decline, though some individuals may carry such traits for years.
In a compilation of speeches analyzed by aging experts, concerning patterns such as flawed word order and excessive repetition have been noted since 2017. Lenze and Beard advocated that all candidates should produce extensive medical reports to clarify their health status, especially following a certain age, which may warrant rigorous neuropsychological testing. Passing basic tests doesn’t necessarily ensure adequate cognitive function, as it’s crucial for a candidate to demonstrate a higher level of fitness to operate as president.
From an expectancy perspective, the average man of Trump’s age has about a 79% chance of serving a full term, while Harris, being younger, has a 97% chance of completing her term if elected, according to researcher S. Jay Olshansky. He emphasized that the criteria for presidency should focus more on functional health than merely age alone.