White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dodged questions Tuesday about why President Trump underwent an MRI during his last visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“I’ll check back on that,” she said when asked about the reason for the October magnetic resonance imaging scan.
Ms. Leavitt referred to a readout issued by Mr. Trump’s physician after the three-hour visit to Walter Reed. The report declared the 79-year-old president is in “exceptional health, exhibiting strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and physical performance.”
Ms. Leavitt said, “This was a follow-up appointment, and we provided a detailed readout of the physical. I’m happy to give it to you again, and I can inquire further.”
When pressed about why the White House isn’t releasing more information about the president’s health, she responded, “As I said, I’ll check back for you.”
Mr. Trump last week raised fresh questions about his health when he publicly revealed that he underwent the MRI early last month.
The medical visit was the second this year for Mr. Trump, who also received a complete physical in April. It was somewhat unusual for Mr. Trump to return to the hospital for further work because most presidents get only one exam per year.
“I got an MRI. It was perfect,” Mr. Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One as they traveled to Japan.
“I gave you the full results. We had an MRI, and the machine, you know, the whole thing and it was perfect,” he said.
Mr. Trump declined to say why he received the MRI, telling reporters they should “ask the doctors.”
The president also said his doctors provided reporters “a very conclusive” rundown of his exam, but the White House has yet to disclose the reason for the visit and offered few specifics.
“I think they gave you a very conclusive — nobody has ever given you reports like I gave you,” Mr. Trump said. “And if I didn’t think it was going to be good, either, I would let you know, negatively. I wouldn’t run. I’d do something. But the doctor said some of the best reports for the age, some of the best reports, they’ve ever seen.”
The White House said Mr. Trump was examined in July for swelling in his legs, and he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.
It’s a condition in which valves inside certain veins don’t function right, letting blood build up.
Mr. Trump also has had bruising on his right hand that he’s sought to cover up with makeup.
