Donald Trump 'Has Not Looked Well,' Top Doc Claims as He Raises the Alarm About President's Lack of Transparency Over His Health

Dr. Jonathan Reiner raised sharp concerns about the lack of transparency regarding President Donald Trump's health in a New York Times op-ed published on Wednesday, August 12.

Dr. Reiner, a professor of medicine and surgery at George Washington University and former cardiologist to the late Vice President Dick Cheney, argued the American public "deserves answers" regarding several unresolved physical observations of the 80-year-old commander-in-chief.

In his op-ed, Dr. Reiner highlighted several specific health concerns that conflict with the clean bill of health issued by White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella.

“Despite reassurances from the White House to the contrary, at times over the past year, the president has not looked well,” Dr. Reiner wrote.

“I am not Mr. Trump’s doctor, and have only reviewed his records that have been made public. But Mr. Trump is probably the most photographed president in American history, and a variety of physical ailments are easy to see,” he added.

The president has displayed prominent dark bruises on both hands for roughly 18 months. The White House's explanation — blaming frequent handshaking combined with high aspirin intake — was dismissed by Dr. Reiner as implausible, noting it fails to explain why both hands are similarly discolored.

Last summer, the president underwent an unscheduled medical evaluation due to leg swelling, which observers have noted and dubbed as “cankles.”

“He’s had large bruises on both hands, swelling in his legs, and episodes when it appears that he is struggling to stay awake. He’s also had advanced imaging performed for unclear reasons. The public is again left to wonder whether the nation’s leader is OK,” Reiner continued.

While the White House eventually disclosed a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, Dr. Reiner challenged the timeline and clarity of the reporting.

“If that’s true, his swelling would be by definition acute, not chronic,” Reiner wrote. “Acute leg swelling is a potentially much more consequential finding that can be caused by issues such as heart and kidney disease. What’s the reason for this discrepancy?”

The doctor noted instances in which the president appeared to struggle to stay awake, pointing to signs of excessive daytime somnolence during public events and cabinet meetings.

The op-ed questioned the purpose behind an October 2025 visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump underwent advanced cardiac and abdominal imaging for reasons that remain undisclosed to the public.

Dr. Reiner pointed out that a recent medical report indicated that Trump was evaluated by 22 different medical consultants, an unusually high number for a standard executive physical.

Citing national security and the public's right to have absolute confidence in their leader's capability, Dr. Reiner threw his support behind a congressional bill introduced by Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin. The legislation seeks to establish an independent medical commission under the 25th Amendment to formally evaluate the physical and cognitive fitness of sitting presidents.

“Some people would argue that these personal medical details are more than the public deserves to know: After all, Buckingham Palace has not revealed many details about King Charles’ cancer or his treatment,” Reiner wrote.

“But the United States does not have a king. In a representative democracy, the people must have confidence in their leader's health and in the leader’s capacity to guide the nation. We have been kept in the dark too long,” he concluded.

The White House has vigorously pushed back against these health speculations. Official media statements have dismissed concerns over daytime drowsiness as "cherry-picked screenshots" and maintained that the elderly president exhibits robust physical and cognitive function, remaining fully fit to execute his duties.