Donald Trump’s April health check was unusually detailed, involving 14 specialists and a neurological screen. White House physician Dr. Sean P. Barbabella reported “robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and general physical function,” crediting Trump’s active lifestyle. The 78-year-old’s stats showed weight loss, improved cholesterol, normal blood pressure, and “excellent health.” Minor issues included sun damage, a benign polyp, and a healed ear scar from the 2024 rally shooting.

This report was far more specific than the short notes of past campaigns, including the 2016 letter later revealed as dictated. Trump’s last public cognitive test was in 2018, with a perfect 30/30 score; the 2025 exam marked the first detailed update since then.

Critics, however, point to what they see in public. Strategist Rick Wilson noted Trump’s “constant asides, constant lapses, the verbal aphasias,” raising doubts about whether formal tests reflect real performance. Doctors stress that screenings are useful but limited—they “are not crystal balls” and cannot capture fluctuating attention or stress demands.

Ultimately, the tension remains: official exams declare Trump fit, but observers debate his rhetoric and stamina. As one analyst put it, the real test is whether voters trust “lab numbers” or what they see at the podium.