“He’s a Sack of Cheeseburgers Away From a Life-Altering Event”: Trump Makes Bold Health Claims

Gabriel RomanNov 26, 2023

Minute Read

As the 2024 election approaches, the health and fitness of potential candidates have become a focal point. Recently, former President Donald Trump has been in the spotlight following the release of a health report by his physician, Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald. This report has generated varied reactions, highlighting the role of age and health in the upcoming election.

Trump’s Health Report Raises Eyebrows

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On President Joe Biden’s 81st birthday, Donald Trump released a letter from his physician. This letter stated that he is in “excellent” health. This announcement comes amid speculation about the health and fitness of both potential presidential candidates, Biden and Trump, for the 2024 election.

Lack of Details in Trump’s Health Report

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The health report on Trump’s social media platform notably lacked specific health metrics. This included his weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. This absence of detailed health information has sparked discussions about the transparency and credibility of such health declarations by political figures.

Trump’s Doctor Praises His Health

Dr. Bruce A. Aronwald has been Trump’s personal doctor since 2021. He praised the former president’s health, specifically mentioning the outstanding results of his physical and cognitive exams. Aronwald’s statement, “physical exams were well within the normal range, and his cognitive exams were exceptional,” supports Trump’s efforts to project vitality and readiness for the presidency.

Recent Health Improvements Cited

The letter from Dr. Aronwald also highlighted significant improvements due to lifestyle changes. He attributed Trump’s positive health trajectory to “recent weight loss” credited to an “improved diet and continued daily physical exercise.” This acknowledgment contrasts past concerns about Trump’s diet, particularly his known preference for fast food.

Doctor’s Optimistic Forecast for Trump’s Health

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Expressing confidence in Trump’s health, Dr. Aronwald asserted that the 77-year-old is very healthy and predicted that he will continue to enjoy an active lifestyle for many years. This optimistic view from his physician feeds into the narrative of Trump’s enduring vigor. This is an important element in the political discourse as age becomes the focus of the 2024 presidential race.

Age as an Election Issue

With the potential of a 2024 election featuring Trump against Biden, age has inevitably become a central issue. If elected, Biden will be the oldest president in U.S. history. The focus on age influences how voters perceive each candidate’s suitability for the presidency, especially in terms of their physical and cognitive capabilities to lead the nation.

Public Opinion on Age and Capability

Recent polls reflect a significant divide in public opinion regarding the age and capability of potential presidential candidates. While a substantial majority, including 69% of Democrats, view President Biden as too old for effective leadership, only 51% express similar views about Trump. There are clearly different perceptions of age as a liability for Biden compared to Trump.

Rivals Highlight Trump’s Age

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In the political arena, Trump’s age has been a target for his opponents. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a likely rival, remarked on CNN, “The presidency is not a job for somebody that’s pushing 80 years old,” positioning himself as a younger alternative. This strategy aims to refocus voter attention on the need for younger leadership.

A pattern of Glowing Health Assessments for Trump

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Throughout his political career, Trump has been known for receiving exceptionally positive health assessments from his doctors. These reports are often in contrast to public perceptions and visible lifestyle habits. They have been a recurring element in Trump’s portrayal of his health and fitness for office.

2015 Health Letter Controversy

In 2015, during his initial presidential campaign, Trump’s health was thrust into the spotlight with a letter from Dr. Harold N. Bornstein. The letter claimed Trump would be the healthiest person to ever become an American president. This bold declaration was scrutinized when Bornstein admitted that Trump had dictated the letter himself.

Bornstein’s Candid Admission

The controversy surrounding Trump’s health narrative intensified when Dr. Bornstein disclosed that he had fabricated the 2015 health letter at Trump’s behest. Bornstein’s admission, “I just made it up as I went along,” revealed the potential manipulation in presenting a candidate’s health. It also sparked debates about the authenticity of such medical endorsements.

White House Disclosures on Trump’s Health

During Trump’s presidency, more comprehensive health disclosures were made public, offering insights into his medical condition. For example, his 2019 physical revealed his classification as officially obese. His 2018 exam showed he had heart disease. Despite these revelations, White House doctors like Dr. Ronny Jackson continued to offer glowing reports on his health.

Trump’s Cognitive Health a Point of Bragging

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One of the standout aspects of Trump’s health narrative has been the emphasis on his cognitive abilities. Dr. Ronny Jackson, in particular, praised Trump’s performance on a cognitive screening test, leading Trump to frequently boast about these results. Trump has used Jackson’s statement that Trump did extremely well on the test to counter public concerns.

Skepticism Over Trump’s Mental Health Report

There is a lot of skepticism about Trump’s mental health report, with social media users openly questioning its authenticity. One user said, “Did insurrection don ever refer to his mental health?” Another comment adds, “Trump’s insanity is getting the best of him. MAGAs should send him some money,” further indicating skepticism about Trump’s mental health claims.

Criticism of Trump’s Physical Health

Criticism of Trump’s physical health has been equally severe, with comments questioning his health status and his lifestyle choices. One user said, “You can look at the man and know he’s a sack of cheeseburgers away from a life-altering event.” This shows widespread scrutiny of Trump’s dietary habits and overall physical well-being.

Disbelief at Doctor’s Claims

The general disbelief surrounding the doctor’s claims about Trump’s health is clear online. One user said, “Trump probably signed his own doctor’s note,” and another added, “It takes the truth and moves it in a different direction? Uhm…. that’s called lying.” This highlights a widespread view that the health report is fabricated or exaggerated.

Predictions of Trump’s Legal Defense Strategy

The health report has also sparked speculation about its potential implications for Trump’s legal strategy. One individual said, “Well, since the doctor has said that Trump is in ‘excellent mental health,’ that would throw out any chance of Trump trying to plead an insanity defense in any of his criminal trials that will be coming up soon.” They argue that the report could limit Trump’s options in legal defenses.

Professional Doubts on Cognitive Assessments

A licensed physician chimed in with professional skepticism, challenging the claims of the assessment. They said, “I’m a licensed physician—whenever a primary doctor tells you cognitive exams are ‘exceptional,’ that is a lie. They don’t perform IQ testing.” They suggested a potential misinterpretation or misrepresentation of cognitive tests in the political context.