Donald Trump told supporters at a rally in Iowa that doctors cautioned his cognitive assessment could have been "embarrassing" if he had performed poorly, as Republicans brace for pivotal midterm elections less than two weeks away.
Speaking at Sioux Gateway Airport on Thursday, October 22, the US president detailed his experience with the cognitive test during a political event ahead of the midterms, reports The Mirror.
President Recounts Cognitive Assessment
Mr Trump explained the test's first question to the crowd, describing a prompt involving a lion, a snake, a giraffe, and a bear, asking which is the snake. He also recounted a numerical exercise he said he completed three times: "Take a number, any number, I say 49, triple it, divide by four, add 2019, subtract 87, divide by three, multiply by nine. What is the number?"
He noted he had shared this anecdote numerous times while touring the country, saying, "I took it, I announced it, I thought it was going to be a big deal, and nobody even covered it."
Doctors' Warning and Political Context
Mr Trump said doctors warned him the test could prove "embarrassing" if he underperformed. "You know if I didn't do well, I would have had a disaster on my hands, right? That's what they told me. They said, 'Well, sir, if you do well, it's great. If you don't ... it may be embarrassing to you,'" he told the rally.
The rally comes at a critical moment for Republicans as the party seeks to retain a Senate seat, three House districts, and the governor's office. Voter concerns about Mr Trump's policies, the Iran war, and the economy have given Democrats a rare opening.
Health in the Spotlight
Mr Trump's health has drawn attention following revelations about a "three-minute" protocol in which his principal doctor, Dr Sean Barbarella, remains within a three-minute radius of him at all times. According to a source speaking to The Wall Street Journal, White House staff exit the room during conversations between Mr Trump and Dr Barbarella, whose approach is described as "low key and direct."
Dr Barbarella has released the president's medical assessments throughout his second term, consistently describing his mental and physical state as "excellent." Despite this, Mr Trump's physical symptoms have repeatedly included swelling of his ankles, bruising on his hands, and apparent forgetfulness.
A report released in May found that Mr Trump "demonstrates strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function." Dr Barbarella added: "AI-enhanced electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis estimated his cardiac age, an established measure of cardiovascular vitality, to be approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age." He stated, "His demanding daily schedule, including multiple high-level meetings, public engagements, and regular physical activity, continues to support his overall well-being. Cognitive and physical performance are excellent. He is fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."
