Donald Trump has disclosed that medical staff cautioned him his cognitive test results could be "embarrassing" if he did not perform well, during a rally in Iowa where he sought to project fitness for office.
The president referenced his May medical examination at Walter Reed while speaking to supporters at Sioux Gateway Airport in Sioux City, Iowa. Following the annual check-up, he had posted on Truth Social that he was in excellent health.
Cognitive Test Anecdote
At the rally, Trump described the assessment in detail. "The first question is tough. They have a lion, a snake, a giraffe, and a bear. And they say, which is the snake?" he explained.
"They'll say, like, 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? I did it three times. And you know I got no credit," Trump told the amused crowd, an anecdote he has recounted numerous times on his travels.
"I took it, I announced it, I thought it was going to be a big deal, and nobody even covered it," he went on, reports the Mirror US.
Medics' Warning
The president revealed that doctors cautioned him the test could prove "embarrassing" should he underperform. "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.'"
Trump's appearance in Iowa comes at a crucial moment as Republicans fight to retain a Senate seat, three House districts and the governor's office. His diminished position, combined with voter concerns about his policies, has dampened the GOP's chances in the Nov. 3 midterm elections, presenting Democrats with a rare opening following years of Republican dominance.
Any Republican setbacks would represent a significant blow in a state where Trump's appeal has enabled the party to establish a substantial and enduring edge. The outcomes of the Senate and House contests could prove decisive in determining Congressional control, ultimately shaping Trump's capacity to push through his policy priorities.
Health Questions Persist
Trump has also faced renewed health-related questions following revelations about a "three-minute" protocol. The president is said to require that his principal doctor, Dr Sean Barbarella, remain within a three-minute radius of him at all times.
According to a source speaking to The Wall Street Journal, White House staff members exit the room during conversations between Trump and Dr Barbarella, with the physician's approach characterised as "low key and direct". Dr Barbarella has been charged with releasing the president's medical assessments throughout his second term, consistently describing his mental and physical state as "excellent".
Despite growing worries surrounding Trump's apparent memory issues and physical symptoms including swelling and bruising, the doctor maintained he "demonstrates strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and overall physical function" in a May report. "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," Dr Barbarella added.
"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."
