Donald Trump 'Has Not Looked Well,' Top Doc Claims as He Raises the Alarm About President's Lack of Transparency Over His Health
HEALTHSource: MEGADr. Jonathan Reiner said Americans 'deserve answers' about the president's well-being. Aug. 12 2026, Published 5:52 p. m. ETArticle continues below advertisementDr. Jonathan Reinerraised sharp. . .
HEALTHSource: MEGADr. Jonathan Reiner said Americans 'deserve answers' about the president's well-being. Aug. 12 2026, Published 5:52 p. m. ETArticle continues below advertisementDr. Jonathan Reinerraised sharp concerns about the lack of transparency regarding PresidentDonald Trump'shealth inaNew York Timesop-edpublished on Wednesday, August 12. Dr. Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University and former cardiologist to the late Vice PresidentDick Cheney, argued the American public "deserves answers" regarding several unresolved physical observations of the 80-year-old commander-in-chief. In his op-ed, Dr. Reiner highlighted several specific health concerns that conflict with the clean bill of health issued by White House physicianDr. Sean Barbabella. “Despite reassurances from the White House to the contrary, at times over the past year,the president has not looked well,” Dr. Reiner wrote. Article continues below advertisementSource: MEGADr. Jonathan Reiner noted the president's 'variety of physical ailments are easy to see. '“I am not Mr. Trump’s doctor, and have only reviewed his records that have been made public. But Mr. Trump is probably the most photographed president in American history, and a variety ofphysical ailmentsare easy to see,” he added. The president has displayed prominentdark bruises on both handsfor roughly 18 months. The White House's explanation — blaming frequent handshaking combined with high aspirin intake — was dismissed by Dr. Reiner as implausible, noting it fails to explain why both hands are similarly discolored. Last summer, the president underwent an unscheduled medical evaluation due to leg swelling, which observers have noted and dubbed as “cankles. ”Article continues below advertisementIs Donald Trump OK?Source: MEGAThe doctor questioned the timeline of Donald Trump's chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis. “He’s had large bruises on both hands, swelling in his legs, and episodes when it appears that he is struggling to stay awake. He’s also had advanced imaging performed for unclear reasons. The public is again left to wonder whether the nation’s leader is OK,” Reiner continued. While the White House eventually disclosed a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, Dr. Reiner challenged the timeline and clarity of the reporting. “If that’s true, his swelling would be by definition acute, not chronic,” Reiner wrote. “Acute leg swellingis a potentially much more consequential finding that can be caused by issues such as heart and kidney disease. What’s the reason for this discrepancy?”MORE ON:Donald TrumpTop Doctor Points to Interesting Change in Donald Trump's Recent Physical'This Is Not Normal': Top Doctor Issues Stark Warning After Donald Trump's Latest Sleepy EpisodeDonald Trump, 79, Insists His Physical Went 'Perfectly' as Top Doctor Sounds Alarm on President's 'Increased Risk of Dementia'Want OK! each day? Sign up here!Article continues below advertisementThe President Underwent Medical Imaging Earlier This YearSource: MEGAThe White House has denied claims that Donald Trump falls asleep at Cabinet meetings. The doctor noted instances in which the president appeared tostruggle to stay awake, pointing to signs of excessive daytime somnolence during public events and cabinet meetings. The op-ed questioned the purpose behind an October 2025 visit toWalter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump underwent advancedcardiac and abdominal imagingfor reasons that remain undisclosed to the public. Dr. Reiner pointed out that a recent medical report indicated thatTrump was evaluatedby 22 different medical consultants, an unusually high number for a standard executive physical. 'We Have Been Kept in the Dark Too Long'Source: MEGAThe POTUS was evaluated by 22 medical consultants at his last physical. Citing national security and the public's right to have absolute confidence in their leader's capability, Dr. Reiner threw his support behind a congressional bill introduced by Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin. The legislation seeks to establish an independent medical commission under the25th Amendmentto formally evaluate the physical and cognitive fitness of sitting presidents. “Some people would argue that these personal medical details are more than the public deserves to know: After all, Buckingham Palace has not revealed many details aboutKing Charles’ canceror his treatment,” Reiner wrote. “But the United States does not have a king. In a representative democracy, the people must have confidence in their leader's health and in the leader’s capacity to guide the nation. We have been kept in the dark too long,” he concluded. The White House has vigorously pushed back against these health speculations. Official media statements have dismissed concerns over daytime drowsiness as "cherry-picked screenshots" and maintained that the elderly president exhibits robust physical and cognitive function, remaining fully fit to execute his duties.