Chicago Tribune (Sunday)

White House: Trump undergoes exam at Walter Reed

- By Jill Colvin

BETHESDA, Md. — President Donald Trump spent more than two hours at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Saturday for what the White House said were medical tests as part of his annual physical.

The appointmen­t wasn’t on Trump’s weekend public schedule, and his last physical was in February. Press secretary Stephanie Grisham said the 73-yearold president was “anticipati­ng a very busy 2020” and wanted to take advantage of “a free weekend” in Washington to begin portions of his routine checkup.

She did not specify which tests he’d received or explain why the visit had not been disclosed in advance. Trump’s 2018 and 2019 physicals were both announced ahead of time and appeared on his public schedule.

Grisham said after the visit that the president had had “a quick exam and labs” and assured he remains in good health.

“The President remains healthy and energetic without complaints, as demonstrat­ed by his repeated vigorous rally performanc­es in front of thousands of Americans several times a week,” she said.

Trump also spent time at the hospital meeting with the family of a special forces soldier injured in Afghanista­n. And he visited with medical staff “to share his thanks for all the outstandin­g care they provide to our Wounded Warriors, and wish them an early happy Thanksgivi­ng,” Grisham said.

It was the president’s ninth visit to the hospital since taking office.

Trump’s last checkup in February 2019 showed he had gained weight in office. At 243 pounds and 6 feet, 3 inches tall, he passed the official threshold for being considered obese, with a body mass index of 30.4.

That checkup, which was supervised by Dr. Sean P. Conley, his physician, took more than four hours and involved a panel of 11 specialist­s.

“I am happy to announce the President of the United States is in very good health and I anticipate he will remain so for the duration of his Presidency, and beyond,” Conley wrote afterward.

Test results were released six days later, showing that Trump weighed 243 pounds — up seven pounds from September 2016, before he became president.

 ?? CAROLYN KASTER/AP 2018 ?? President Trump is seen with White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson after his first checkup as president.
CAROLYN KASTER/AP 2018 President Trump is seen with White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson after his first checkup as president.

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