Trump says media ´sick´ over health rumors

WASHINGTON: An angry President Donald Trump on Tuesday accused the "sick" media of scaring his wife Melania with reports of his poor health, following a surprise weekend hospital visit.

Speculation has swirled around the 73-year-old´s health since he made a sudden trip to a government hospital outside Washington on Saturday.

The White House´s subsequent explanation that Trump underwent part of his annual medical exam at the facility failed to quell entirely the questions.

Trump, however, exaggerated the nature of the speculation, saying that the media reported him having a heart attack.

There were scattered online rumors of a serious heart issue, but media outlets focused on the unusual circumstances of Trump´s trip to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, because it had not been publicly scheduled.

"I went for a physical," Trump said in furious comments to journalists at the White House.

"I came back. My wife said, ´Darling, are you okay, what is wrong? They´re reporting you may have had a heart attack.´"

"I was called by our people in public relations: ´Sir, are you OK?´" Trump also recalled.

"CNN said you may have had a heart attack. You had massive chest pains," he said.

"They´re sick," Trump said of the media. "And the press really in this country, is dangerous.... We have a very corrupt media and I hope they can get their act straightened out."

Trump´s personal physician issued a denial of anything serious on Monday.

Trump "has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues," the doctor, Sean Conley, said.

"Specifically, he did not undergo any specialized cardiac or neurologic evaluations."

Trump spokeswoman earlier said he was taking the unusual step of undergoing a first stage of his annual checkup early because he will be busy in his 2020 reelection year.

She said Trump´s frequent "vigorous" appearance at campaign rallies indicated his strong health.

Trump´s last annual checkup was conducted nine months ago.