Donald Trump raises health alarm with new medical exam after months of mystery bruises

The White House has confirmed that former President Donald Trump will have a routine medical checkup this Friday, even though he already had his yearly physical earlier this year.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump will visit the Walter Reed Medical Center in Maryland in the morning, where he will meet with troops and deliver some brief remarks. During the visit, he will also undergo his standard annual health examination before returning to the White House later in the day.

This announcement comes just months after Trump’s last medical evaluation, which took place in April. At that time, his doctor said he was in “excellent health.” However, the president was found to have some benign skin lesions known as actinic keratosis — small, rough patches of skin caused by long-term exposure to sunlight. While these spots are usually harmless, they can sometimes develop into a type of skin cancer if left untreated.

Medical experts note that only around 10% of people with actinic keratosis go on to develop skin cancer, and Trump’s condition was described as minor. During that same checkup, doctors also noted some scarring on his right ear — a reminder of last year’s attempted assassination, in which he was grazed by a bullet during a campaign event.

Despite the reassuring medical reports, public concern over Trump’s health has grown in recent months. Photos from recent appearances have shown swelling in his ankles, which doctors say is linked to chronic venous insufficiency, a vein condition that affects blood flow in the legs. The issue, common among people over 70, can cause swelling, pain, and discoloration when blood struggles to circulate properly back to the heart.

At 79 years old, Trump has continued to keep a busy schedule, holding meetings with world leaders, traveling for political events, and preparing for a possible visit to Egypt in connection with peace talks in Gaza. Speaking to reporters recently, Trump said he felt “strong and in good spirits,” and even joked about taking a cognitive test, saying he “got every answer right.”

Still, observers have noticed some visible signs of strain. During recent public appearances, cameras captured a large bruise on the back of his right hand. The White House said the mark was due to “minor soft tissue damage,” likely caused by frequent handshakes and the regular use of aspirin, which can thin the blood and make bruising more noticeable.

The White House continues to insist that Friday’s visit is just a normal annual checkup and not a response to any new health issue. Yet, given Trump’s age and the number of recent health-related headlines, many are watching closely. In the past few weeks, photos and videos showing him appearing tired, with swollen ankles and a noticeable limp, have fueled speculation online about his physical condition.

Trump, however, has brushed off the rumors, calling them “nonsense” and maintaining that he is in great shape. Supporters point to his active travel schedule and long hours as proof that he remains energetic and capable.

In recent days, his team has also been trying to shift attention toward his upcoming international agenda. Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump has been in talks with several Middle Eastern leaders and that his potential trip to Egypt is aimed at advancing discussions toward a peace agreement in Gaza.

While his health has become a frequent talking point, Trump himself often appears eager to control the narrative. “I have a good heart and a good soul,” he told reporters aboard Air Force One earlier this year. “I wanted to be different from Biden, so I took a cognitive test. I got every question right.”

For now, all eyes will be on Friday’s visit to Walter Reed. Whether the checkup brings new revelations or simply reaffirms that the former president remains in “excellent health,” the public interest surrounding Trump’s well-being shows no sign of fading.

As one political observer put it this week, “Every time Trump walks into a hospital, half the country holds its breath — and the other half starts tweeting.”