Trump has made his intentions very clear.
President Donald Trump is renewing calls for stricter standards on presidential fitness, arguing that all future candidates for president and vice president should be required to pass a mandatory cognitive exam.
In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump said White House physicians confirmed he is in what he described as “perfect health.” He also noted that he has now passed a cognitive examination three times, emphasizing that he voluntarily chose to take the test.
According to Trump, no other sitting president or vice president has been willing to do the same.
Trump Calls for Mandatory Cognitive Testing
Trump said the time has come for a formal rule requiring anyone seeking the nation’s highest offices to demonstrate mental fitness through a “strong, meaningful, and proven” cognitive test.
“Our great country cannot be run by incompetent people,” Trump wrote, arguing that Americans deserve transparency when it comes to the health and readiness of their leaders.
The proposal immediately highlights a broader debate over age, leadership, and accountability at the highest levels of government.
Media Scrutiny and a Perceived Double Standard
Trump’s comments come as legacy media outlets and Democratic leaders continue to focus heavily on his age and health. Conservatives, however, have long argued that similar scrutiny was largely absent during the presidency of former President Joe Biden.
For years, critics say the press minimized visible concerns about Biden’s stamina and mental sharpness, even as his public schedule became increasingly limited.
Trump addressed this issue directly during a recent Cabinet meeting, criticizing reporters for what he described as selective coverage.
“If I go one day without something, they say something is wrong,” Trump said. “But for years, there were no questions.”
He contrasted the intense focus on his own health with Biden’s frequent absence from press conferences, calling the disparity unfair and misleading to the public.
Trump Highlights Energy, Transparency, and Schedule
Rather than avoiding the subject, Trump has repeatedly pointed to his demanding daily schedule, frequent travel, and regular interactions with reporters as evidence of his stamina.
He has also openly discussed his medical evaluations, including the cognitive exam he voluntarily took.
Trump described the test as challenging and said he answered every question correctly.
“The doctor will tell you, I got every single question right,” he said.
Details on Trump’s Health Routine
According to reporting from the Wall Street Journal, Trump credits genetics as a major factor in his health and energy.
He acknowledged taking a daily 325-milligram aspirin for more than 25 years, explaining that he has continued the routine out of habit, even though it causes him to bruise more easily.
The report also noted that Trump briefly wore compression socks after experiencing ankle swelling. His physician later described the issue as chronic venous insufficiency—a common and treatable condition among older adults.
Trump said the swelling has improved as he walks more throughout the day.
While he does not favor traditional workouts, Trump remains active through regular golf, joking that treadmill exercise is “boring.”
Clearing Up Medical Speculation
Speculation surrounding Trump’s October visit to Walter Reed Medical Center was also addressed after Newsmax clarified that Trump did not undergo an MRI, as some reports suggested.
Instead, Trump received a CT scan, a distinction later confirmed by the Journal.
Trump said the scan was less extensive than an MRI, and his physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, stated the test ruled out cardiovascular concerns and showed no abnormalities.
A Clear Political Contrast
Trump’s message is straightforward: he says he has nothing to hide and believes future leaders should meet the same standard.
By calling for mandatory cognitive testing, Trump is drawing a clear contrast with Democrats, who critics say ignored growing concerns about Biden’s fitness while he was in office.
For many Americans—especially older voters who value transparency, strength, and accountability—the debate raises a simple question: if someone wants to run the country, why shouldn’t they be required to prove they’re mentally fit to do so?
