On Biden's 81st birthday, Trump, his predecessor and a man four years his senior, takes a jab at his successor. On Monday, Trump unveiled a doctor's letter that purportedly outlines his "excellent" health. This ploy seems like a strategic campaign move from the Republican frontman.
The questionability of the letter and the thoroughness of the examinations performed are hard to overlook. The author of the letter, Bruce Aronwald, is listed as a family doctor with the Morristown Medical Group in New Jersey. Aronwald claims he examined Trump's health "thoroughly" in September.
However, the letter fails to disclose critical details like the former president's weight or blood pressure. It merely highlights that Trump has managed to shed some pounds. Aronwald also mentions that the 77-year-old will maintain a healthy, active lifestyle over the years, thanks to his commitment to preventive health checks.
On the other hand, Biden's health check was disclosed in February. The report, published over five pages, certifies that the Democratic frontrunner was in good shape to fulfill the responsibilities of the presidency. However, some health issues were mentioned, such as a stiff gait and gastroesophageal reflux disease, which makes him frequently clear his throat.
Presidential health disclosures are a common practice in the USA, although not a legal requirement. This ritual has become essential for no president to bypass. At 81, Biden is currently the Democrats' most promising candidate for the primaries. He took over the White House in 2021, marking his status as the oldest US president to ever hold the office. The topic of his age and his eligibility for another presidential run has been a subject of debate, both within his political party and beyond. Trumps' age has also been a recurring topic, as he expresses his desire to reclaim the White House for the Republicans after the 2024 election.
Despite Trump's release of a doctor's letter, doubts arise about the letter's authenticity and the rigor of the examinations. These concerns heighten as the US Presidential election approaches, with ongoing discussions about Biden's fitness for another presidential term, with a focus on his gait issues and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
The reliability of Trump's health claims is highly questionable given his past history of making false or misleading statements. Fact-checkers consistently uncover a high proportion of falsehoods in Trump's statements, with The Washington Post reporting 30,573 falsehoods during his presidency. Experts and fact-checkers strongly criticize his approach to truth and willingness to spread disinformation. In the past, Trump made unsubstantiated health claims, such as his infamous "doctor's letter" in 2016, which faced widespread skepticism for its lack of detail and credibility.
Any health-related claims about Trump must be met with extreme skepticism due to his record of untruthfulness and the absence of robust supporting evidence.
