Leavitt, 28, Flees After Question About Health of Trump, 79

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt abruptly ended a press conference after being quizzed about President Donald Trump’s health.

One week after telling reporters she would “check back” with the president about why he had an MRI during his latest medical examination, Leavitt was asked on Wednesday whether she had an update for the public.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 12: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during the daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on November 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. Leavitt discussed the federal government shutdown and new emails released by Congress regarding Jeffrey Epstein, among other topics. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was once again asked about Trump’s health. Win McNamee/Getty Images

“As stated in the memo provided on October 10, President Trump received advanced imaging at Walter Reed Medical Center as part of his routine physical examination,” she told reporters during her latest briefing.

“The full results were reviewed by attending radiologists and consultants, and all agreed that President Trump remains in exceptional physical health, which I know all of you will see with your own eyes later this evening when he opens up his dinner to the press, and perhaps you will see him when he signs the bill to reopen the federal government.”

Leavitt’s statement did not provide any details that were not already contained in the report of Trump’s check-up last month, let alone explain why he needed an MRI, which can usually highlight symptoms associated with conditions such as strokes, brain issues, or tumors.

WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 06: U.S. President Donald Trump appears at an event on lowering drug prices in the Oval Office at the White House on November 06, 2025 in Washington, DC. Trump announced that his administration has reached agreements with drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that would lower the price of some GLP-1 weight loss medications. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) — Trump caught taking a nap in the middle of an Oval Office event last week. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

But before any further questions could be asked, she left the room after what was a relatively short briefing lasting about 25 minutes—part of which involved FBI director Kash Patel providing a lengthy update about his recent trip to China to crack down on fentanyl precursors.

Leavitt’s response is an indication of how sensitive the issue is for the White House, and for the 79-year-old Commander in Chief.

Trump insists he is in excellent shape for his age, and has previously bragged about getting “perfect” results on cognitive tests issued by White House doctor Sean Barbabella.

“When they asked, would I like to do one? I said: Yeah—did Obama do it? No. Did Bush do it? No. Did Biden do it?“ he said last month ahead of his latest visit to Walter Reed.

“Biden wouldn’t have gotten through the first three questions, but Biden should have done it.”

But speculation about the president’s health has intensified in recent weeks, particularly after he was caught napping during events, or mixed up names, places, and basic facts.

The scrutiny began earlier this year when Trump was photographed with his swollen ankles and bruising on his hand.

This resulted in the White House eventually revealing that he had been diagnosed with Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition that occurs when veins can’t manage blood flow well, making it harder for the blood to return to the heart.

This had caused his ankles to swell, while bruising on Trump’s hand, according to the White House, was due to the president’s serial handshaking and an aspirin regimen used to treat it.

Donald Trump's ankles appeared swollen during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between PSG and Chelsea. — NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES – JULY 13: President of United States Donald Trump and First Lady of the United States Donald Trump’s ankles appeared swollen during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final match between PSG and Chelsea. Anadolu via Getty Images

But renewed questions emerged last month after Trump let it slip that the October 10 examination also included an MRI, which doctors say is never part of a routine examination.

“Typically, they’re prompted by symptoms,” prominent cardiologist Dr Jonathan Reiner said at the time.

“They can be neurologic symptoms that prompt an MRI. They could be back pain that prompts an MRI. There can be issues with the heart that would prompt an MRI.

“And for those reasons, the public should really be told, you know, why did the president undergo the test, what consultants he saw, and what was the result of the testing?”

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