Donald Trump's former impeachment lawyer has dismissed speculation about the president's health, saying he has witnessed no cognitive or physical decline. Michael T. van der Veen, who represented Trump during his second impeachment proceedings in 2021, shared his assessment with Express.co.uk after months of public conjecture about the 80-year-old president's well-being.
Trump, the second-oldest serving US President in history, has faced questions about rambling addresses, apparent mobility difficulties and unexplained bruising on his hands. The White House has strenuously denied any problems, and the president's yearly health check earlier this year declared he was in "excellent health".
Lawyer's categorical response
Asked whether there was any substance to the speculation, Van der Veen was categorical. He stated: "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 recalled an encounter at Mar-a-Lago that demonstrated Trump's cognitive capacity. Michael continued: "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 meeting on the golf course
Van der Veen's first meeting with the president took place on a golf course, where he spent 18 holes with him. He stated: "My first meeting with President Trump actually was on a golf course, and I spent 18 holes with him. I really got to see him outside of an Oval Office kind of setting and he's an enormously impressive guy."
He added: "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."
Medical report findings
Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency following his medical examination earlier this year. The report indicated that the bruising on his hands was due to "minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking" and a "common and benign effect of aspirin therapy".
Capt Sean Barbabella, Trump's physician, stated that the president possessed "strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function". Barbabella added: "His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being."
