President Trump did not receive an MRI during his latest medical exam, despite press reports and his own earlier comment suggesting he had.
Sources familiar with his records say he misspoke and actually underwent only a CT scan — a routine cardiovascular screening for men over 50. In April, the president received a clean bill of health during his annual physical at Walter Reed. He returned in October for what the White House called a “semiannual physical.” When later asked about the visit, he casually told reporters about “an MRI they did,” a comment officials now say was inaccurate.
The remark raised questions because the White House physician’s earlier summary of the exam made no mention of any condition requiring an MRI. Anti-Trump commentators quickly speculated about a hidden illness, while some medical experts suggested the scan might have been to check for cognitive issues or signs of a possible stroke.
When asked by reporters about what part of the body the recent test covered, Trump responded, “What part of the body? It wasn’t the brain, because I took a cognitive test and I aced it.”
He said the White House would release the exam results — and it did.
“As part of President Donald Trump’s comprehensive executive physical, advanced imaging was performed because men in his age group benefit from a thorough evaluation of cardiovascular and abdominal health,” White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella wrote in his Dec. 1 report. “The purpose of this imaging is preventative: to identify issues early, confirm overall health, and ensure he maintains long-term vitality and function.”
The report said the president’s cardiovascular and abdominal imaging were “perfectly normal,” and it notably made no mention of an MRI.
Medical experts say CT scans — not MRIs — are standard for routine cardiac evaluations in older adults, with MRIs used only when specific issues are suspected. Coronary calcium CT scans are especially common for men over 50 because they’re quick, effective, and provide a reliable snapshot of cardiovascular risk.
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