Michael T. van der Veen, the former attorney who defended Donald Trump during his 2021 impeachment trial, has spoken out about the US President's physical and mental fitness. At 80, Trump stands as the oldest sitting leader in US history, and recent months have seen persistent questions raised over his physical condition.
Rumours have been sparked by rambling public addresses, unsteady movement and unexplained marks on his hands. However, the White House has firmly shut down these claims. Following his annual check-up earlier this year, the president was declared to be in top shape, with his physician, Capt Sean Barbabella, highlighting "strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function."
Former attorney shares first-hand verdict
Van der Veen, who worked closely alongside Trump, addressed whether there was any substance to the ongoing health speculation, delivering an unequivocal response. He said: "No, not that I'm aware of. He's a large, physically healthy man. He's robust, yet his level of energy is always, in my experience, very strong."
He then recalled one meeting at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida that showed the state of his cognitive ability. Van der Veen said: "I was down in Mar-a-Lago with him, and we were going through the dining room, and he stopped at every table and said, 'Hey, Joe, you tell your brother membership's going up in January. Make sure he joins'. He's constantly selling; he's constantly engaging with people. And I have not witnessed any cognitive or physical decline."
First impressions on the golf course
Van der Veen's first encounter with the president was far removed from the drama of a courtroom - the pair first met on a golf course. He shared his first impressions of Trump: "I really got to see him outside of an Oval Office kind of setting and he's an enormously impressive guy. He is physically large, but he's also outgoing, he's boisterous, he's a salesman. He is fluid on many topics and really an enjoyable and entertaining guy to spend time with."
Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency after his medical exam earlier this year. The report said the bruising on his hands was "minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking" and a "common and benign effect of aspirin therapy." Trump was also reported to have strong cardiac, pulmonary, and neurological health.
White House physician's assessment
Barbabella wrote: "His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being."
Trump was cleared of the impeachment charges before making his political comeback and regaining the presidency in 2025.
