U.S. President Donald Trump will undergo his third health checkup in 13 months on Tuesday. With bruised hands, swollen legs, and instances of dozing off at official events drawing attention, concerns are mounting over the health of Trump, who at 79 is the oldest president ever inaugurated, putting the focus on the results. Meanwhile, suspicions have also been raised that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, 76, has health problems.
Trump's Third Checkup in 13 Months… Bruised Hands and Swollen Legs Prompt "Heart Failure" Warning
According to The Washington Post on Tuesday (local time), Trump will undergo a physical examination and dental checkup at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Wednesday. While the White House maintains a 24-hour dedicated medical team, Walter Reed is equipped with specialized facilities, including advanced imaging equipment.
Trump visited Walter Reed in April last year for his annual physical examination and returned in October under the pretext of a scheduled follow-up checkup. About three months after that visit, Trump and the White House belatedly disclosed that the president had undergone a CT scan. His physician, Sean Barbabella, explained that the test was "preventive in nature, intended to clearly rule out cardiovascular abnormalities." In his October medical report, the physician described Trump as remaining in excellent health.
However, outside physicians have repeatedly pointed out that the White House's explanations are insufficient regarding warning signs such as recurring bruised hands, swollen legs, and intermittent drowsiness. The swelling in Trump's legs began to draw attention last summer. In July, the White House made the unusual admission that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency related to age. Yet the health checkup reports from last April and October contained little mention of the condition. Cardiologist Jonathan Reiner, who served as the personal physician to former Vice President Dick Cheney, said, "If this condition was already present in April, then either the doctor missed it or chose not to disclose it," adding, "If it developed after April, it constitutes acute swelling and would require detailed testing to assess the possibility of heart failure."
Regarding the bruises on the back of his hand, repeatedly seen since the start of his term, the White House attributed them to aspirin use and frequent handshaking. Reiner countered, "If he's taking too much aspirin, he could simply reduce the dose — that explanation doesn't add up," noting, "Similar bruising was visible on his left hand as well, but he wouldn't be shaking hands with his left hand."
Public skepticism is also growing. In a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll last month, the share of respondents who said Trump has the mental sharpness to serve as president stood at 40%, down from 47% in September. Positive responses regarding his physical health also fell from 54% to 44%.
Netanyahu's Prostate Cancer and Pacemaker Belatedly Disclosed… Repeated Controversy Over Wartime Health Concealment
Meanwhile, Netanyahu, who alongside the United States is conducting a war against Iran, was reportedly transferred to a hospital on Tuesday. Netanyahu is 76 this year.
According to The Times of Israel on Wednesday, the Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu was transferred to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening. The office said only that Netanyahu was receiving dental treatment. Netanyahu's health status has become a major issue within Israel amid repeated controversy over concealment.
Last month, Netanyahu belatedly disclosed through a lengthy social media post that he had successfully completed radiation treatment for a malignant prostate tumor at Hadassah Hospital. He explained that he had delayed the disclosure out of concern that Iran could exploit the information to wage a propaganda campaign against Israel during the war. He did not disclose the timing of the diagnosis, the start of treatment, or the end of treatment.
Along with the announcement, an annual health report and separate documents related to the cancer diagnosis and treatment were released. However, the report consisted of only five vague items spanning half a page and did not specify which year it covered. Neither document carried a hospital logo or any markings indicating they were official medical records. Netanyahu had a pacemaker implanted in July 2023, underwent hernia surgery in March 2024, and had a prostatectomy in December 2024.
