A former White House physician has raised new questions after pointing to a moment that he believes signals President Donald Trump “needs to be evaluated.”
Doctor Jonathan Reiner has urged Congress to authorize an immediate medical assessment of President Trump following a series of developments that have sparked widespread discussion in recent months.
The cardiologist shared a short video clip that he says should be reviewed without delay by the President’s medical team, describing it as a moment that warrants closer examination.
Trump Continues Comparing His Health to Former President Biden
President Donald Trump, who has long called himself the “healthiest president that’s ever lived,” continues to publicly compare his own “perfect” health to that of former President Joe Biden, who is currently undergoing cancer treatment.
Late last year, the White House replaced Biden’s presidential portrait with an image produced by an autopen. The caption displayed beneath the new portrait reads:
“Sleepy Joe Biden was, by far, the worst President in American history. Taking office as a result of the most corrupt election ever seen in the US.”
While the message drew strong reactions, it also renewed conversations about Trump’s own well-being.
Health Concerns Surrounding President Trump
Rumors surrounding President Trump’s health have circulated online and in the press for several years, especially after he became the oldest sitting U.S. President in history in January 2025.
Concern intensified in September of that year when the 79-year-old appeared absent from public events for several days. His temporary disappearance from scheduled meetings led many to speculate about a possible health issue.
Trump responded on his Truth Social account with a short message claiming: “NEVER FELT BETTER IN MY LIFE.”
Despite this statement, conversations about his condition continued to grow.
Later that year, observers claimed to notice a “mysterious lump” near the President’s clothing, prompting speculation that he might be wearing a left ventricular assist device. Because such a device requires open-heart surgery, medical experts quickly noted that this was extremely improbable.
Bruising Sparks Further Attention
In December 2025, new questions emerged when Trump was seen with discoloration on the back of his left hand at several public appearances. This followed earlier moments when viewers noticed what appeared to be bruising on his right hand.
When asked about the marks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, according to CNN:
“President Trump is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”
Her explanation, however, did not completely quiet the growing commentary.
Trump Shares Details About an MRI
In late October 2025, President Trump said that he had undergone an MRI at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“I got an MRI. It was perfect,” he stated. “I mean, I gave you the full results. We had an MRI and the machine, you know, the whole thing, and it was perfect.”
Later reporting, including from Forbes, suggested that the imaging test was actually a CT scan. Both procedures provide detailed internal images, commonly used to detect cardiovascular abnormalities.
Trump’s physician, Sean Barbarella, told the Wall Street Journal that the scan was performed to “definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues.”
He also told ABC News that the President remains “in exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief.”
The President’s Health Diagnosis
Although the White House has maintained that Trump is fit, officials confirmed in July of last year that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
Press Secretary Leavitt explained that the President had been experiencing leg swelling, prompting vascular testing.
The condition causes blood to pool in the legs due to weakened valves in the veins.
Leavitt also said Trump’s hand bruising was consistent with “tissue damage from frequent hand-shaking” while taking aspirin, which she described as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention plan.
However, her comments did not fully address newer concerns raised by observers online and in the media.
Former White House Doctor Raises Alarm
Dr. Reiner, who once served as cardiologist to former Vice President Dick Cheney and now works as a CNN medical analyst, recently shared a concerning video on social media.
The footage shows President Trump appearing to close his eyes for an extended period while seated at the Resolute Desk, surrounded by aides, officials, and guests.
uh oh — Trump's eyes are closed pic.twitter.com/6pQaQhNB6H
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) January 14, 2026
“The president seems to be struggling with excessive daytime somnolence,” Dr. Reiner wrote.
He added: “Repeatedly falling asleep with a dozen people surrounding your desk is not normal. It needs to be evaluated.”
This is not the first time Reiner has voiced concerns. He previously criticized Trump for taking higher-than-recommended doses of aspirin, stating that the medication should be monitored carefully at his age.
He also commented on a speech in which Trump appeared “unwell,” referring to his vocal strain and pacing, and remarked:
“I’m seriously concerned about the health of the president. No one should be happy to see the president like this. He looks unwell.”
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