US President Donald Trump has pushed back against a fresh wave of health concerns after a recent MRI scan and a viral photograph from Mar-a-Lago prompted renewed questions about his fitness. Speaking to reporters upon his return to Washington from Florida, Trump insisted that his mental health remains "perfect", adding that he had recently taken a cognitive test and "aced it".
Trump on MRI: 'Just an MRI'
The President, 79, said he had “no idea” which part of his body was scanned during the MRI in October, describing it simply as “an MRI”. But he clarified further and pointed at his head and said, “It wasn't the brain because I took a cognitive test and I aced it.”
He also took a dig at the two reporters flying with him, claiming they would be "incapable" of passing the same test.
Trump insisted he would have no problem publishing his medical evaluation results, claiming that he received “perfect” results on every test he took.
Mar-a-Lago photo sets off online chatter
Public pressure mounted after a photo emerged on social media of Trump sitting by the window at his club at Mar-a-Lago, eyes closed, mouth slightly ajar. Many commenters on X said the photo made him look unwell. Some demanded that the White House make the MRI report public.
Comments also emerged, such as Trump "is seen falling asleep frequently"; however, parallel photos of him resting or dozing off have been in circulation for some time.
White House response
The White House has not explained why the MRI was part of Trump's check-up, or which part of his body was scanned. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt would say only that the President underwent “advanced imaging” at Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre as part of a routine examination. She said the results showed Trump remains in "exceptional physical health".
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Biden comparisons resurface
The debate over Trump's health inevitably revived comparisons with his predecessor Joe Biden, who pulled out of the 2024 race due to health problems. The photo from Mar-a-Lago has been widely contrasted to a recent photo of Biden in Nantucket, where he seemed energetic and beaming. Trump has long criticised Biden's age and alertness, referring to him as "sleepy Joe". The latest online discussions shifted the focus back to Trump's health amid the continued political rivalry between the two leaders.
