Last week, the White House announced that President Donald Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
It came after photographs of Trump went viral, showing intense swelling in his lower legs and ankles.
The images led to speculation, but this was put to rest when the White House released a note from presidential physician Sean Barbabella.
Highlights
- President Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, causing swelling in his lower legs and ankles.
- Senator Tommy Tuberville claimed Trump’s health issues came from fighting ‘radical’ leftists.
- Doctors say CVI affects mainly older adults and requires lifestyle changes like exercise and compression therapy.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Trump’s health is excellent after multiple diagnostic tests last week.
- Trump, 79, is the oldest second-term president and has previously criticized Biden's age-related health concerns.
Senator Tommy Tuberville linked Trump’s health issues to ‘radical’ leftists
Image credits: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Doctors commented on the possible causes of the condition, which include a lack of exercise, old age, and a bad diet.
But one Republican senator had other ideas on what had caused the president to become unwell—fighting America’s “radical” leftists.
Senator Tommy Tuberville was speaking on New York radio station WABC 7770 AM on Sunday when he addressed Trump’s health issues.
“The pressure on somebody like President Trump right now, not just from outside entities … all over the world but also fighting the radicals in this country,” he told host John Catsimatidis.
“Every day it’s almost like a fistfight. And he’s making progress. We just need to win more and more people on our side that understand what’s going on because our country has got one foot in the grave when it comes to our constitution and capitalism.”
Trump turned 79 on June 14, and the condition particularly affects people over the age of 70.
CVI happens when a person’s legs don’t work properly, meaning veins can’t manage blood flow correctly, and it is harder for the blood in the legs to return to the heart.
Treatment for the condition involves lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, weight management, and leg elevation, as well as compression therapy.
Image credits: Julie Bennett/Getty Images
There had been speculation surrounding Trump’s health before his diagnosis, with some pointing to Trump’s age—an issue Trump repeatedly criticized former President Joe Biden for.
He has previously claimed that Biden’s alleged cognitive decline was apparent while he was president and has attributed it to his age, but has insisted that his own cognitive test results have been flawless.
Trump is the oldest person to ever be inaugurated as president for a second term, and should he serve to the end of his term in 2029, he will be 82 years old.
Biden previously held the record for the oldest person to be inaugurated, after entering office at the age of 78 in 2021.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt last week told reporters that Trump had undergone a myriad of tests and his health was excellent.
White House Press Secretary Leavitt said Trump is in excellent health
A comprehensive examination included an echocardiogram, several diagnostic tests, and vascular studies.
There were also no signs of heart failure, renal impairment, or systemic illness, Leavitt said.
She also addressed bruising on Trump’s hand, which had also led to health speculations, saying it was from taking aspirin for heart health and frequently shaking hands.
“This is consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent hand shaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen,” she said.
“The president remains in excellent health, which I think all of you witness on a daily basis here,” Leavitt added.