White House promises details as Trump, oldest president in US history, undergoes check-up

WASHINGTON: Donald Trump had his annual medical examination on Friday, a check-up that may give the public its first details in years about the health of a man who, in January, became the oldest in US history to be sworn in as president.

“I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done!” the 78-year-old posted on his social media site ahead of the examination, which was conducted at Walter Reed national military medical center in Bethesda, Maryland.

How long the exam took wasn’t immediately clear. All told, however, he spent more than five hours at the center before heading to Air Force One and flying to Florida for the weekend.

If history is any indication, his latest physical is likely to produce a flattering report that’s scarce on details. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt promised a “readout from the White House physician” that would be released “as soon as we possibly can” and suggested it would be comprehensive. “I can confirm the president is in very good shape,” Leavitt said. She noted that the physical didn’t require Trump being placed under anaesthesia.

A White House doctor in 2018, when Trump was serving his first term, said the president was in overall excellent health but needed to shed weight and start a daily exercise routine.