Trump ‘In Excellent Health’ but Should Lose Weight, Says Presidential Physician

US President Donald Trump reacts during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 27 May 2026. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump reacts during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 27 May 2026. (EPA)
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Trump ‘In Excellent Health’ but Should Lose Weight, Says Presidential Physician

US President Donald Trump reacts during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 27 May 2026. (EPA)
US President Donald Trump reacts during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 27 May 2026. (EPA)

Donald Trump's doctor said he was in "excellent health" but advised him to lose weight, the White House said Friday, after the US president's annual medical check-up weeks before his 80th birthday.

Republican Trump, the oldest president ever inaugurated, has repeatedly boasted about his mental and physical vigor compared to his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden.

But Trump's medical and dental check-up on Tuesday at the Walter Reed Military Hospital near Washington followed questions about his apparent sleepiness in meetings and bruising on his hand.

"President Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," said Trump's doctor, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, in a memo published by the White House.

The three-page memo provides an overview of Trump's physical examination and diagnostic testing, in which Barbabella concludes that the leader is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."

"Preventative counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss," it said.

According to the memo, Trump -- who stands at six foot three inches (191 cm) tall -- weighs 238 pounds (108 kilograms), 14 pounds (6.4 kilograms) higher than his last full annual medical in April last year.

Trump's cardiac age is estimated to be "approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age."

Trump scored "30 out of 30" in the cognitive assessment.

The president has spoken dozens of times about "acing" a cognitive test that he claims his predecessors have not taken.

- 'Frequent handshaking' -

Trump, who turns 80 on June 14, is on three medications, two of which are designated for cholesterol control and the third being aspirin for "cardiac prevention."

Since returning to office, the Republican has often appeared with bruising on his right hand, usually covered with make-up.

"Examination of the dorsal hands revealed ecchymosis (bruising), consistent with minor soft tissue irritation related to frequent handshaking in the setting of aspirin use for cardiovascular prevention," the memo said regarding Trump's bruised hands.

During a number of White House events, the president has also been seen apparently closing his eyes for several seconds, although he has repeatedly denied dozing off.

Last summer, the White House disclosed that he had been evaluated for swelling in his legs and diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency -- a common condition in which faulty vein valves allow blood to pool, causing swelling, cramping and skin changes.

The revelation came after Trump was seen with swollen ankles on a number of occasions.

The memo also noted "scarring of the right ear consistent with prior gunshot injury."

Trump was the target of an assassination attempt during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania in 2024. A gunman fired several shots, killing a rally goer and lightly wounding the president in the ear.

- 'Perfect' health -

Trump, for his part, said Tuesday's medical went "PERFECTLY" in a post on his Truth Social platform shortly after the appointment.

The White House later posted a picture of him on social media with the caption: "PERFECT BILL OF HEALTH!"

Following the president's check-up, US media reported that the White House had broken with precedent by not releasing the report, before it did so three days later.

The White House normally releases a summary of presidential physicals within hours or days, but the extent of the detail it gives is entirely at its own discretion.

Trump has long been accused of a lack of transparency about his health and the chronology of his various check-ups during his second term has only added to the confusion.

He referred to Tuesday's appointment as a "six-month physical," despite the White House billing it as an annual dental and medical examination in an announcement earlier this month.

Tuesday's medical examination was Trump's third since returning to office last year.

Trump's last scheduled annual check-up was in April last year. But it was followed by an unannounced hospital visit that October, which the White House then also described as an annual physical.



Seoul: US, South Korea in Talks over US Commander's Remarks

US President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, October 29, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters
US President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, October 29, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters
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Seoul: US, South Korea in Talks over US Commander's Remarks

US President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, October 29, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters
US President Donald Trump meets with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, October 29, 2025. Evelyn Hockstein, Reuters

South Korea and the United States are in talks over recent public remarks by the commander of US Forces Korea, Seoul's presidential office said Saturday, after the comments drew sharp criticism from China.

In a recent podcast interview, Xavier Brunson described South Korea as "the dagger in the heart of Asia" from China's east coast, prompting the Chinese embassy in Seoul to say this week that he had "truly crossed the line".

The interview came amid growing speculation that Washington may seek to expand the role of US Forces Korea in countering the growing regional influence of China, a key ally of North Korea and Russia, AFP reported.

Brunson last year also underscored South Korea's strategic value in the broader Indo-Pacific, describing the US ally as a "fixed aircraft carrier" in the region, Yonhap reported.

South Korea's presidential Blue House said Saturday that it was "aware of Commander Brunson's recent series of public remarks" and that Seoul and Washington "have been maintaining communication at various levels regarding all relevant issues".

South Korea's local media outlet News1 said the presidential office complained to the US over the remarks, while broadcaster JTBC reported that such concerns had been raised 10 times previously.

The Blue House said it was "unable to confirm the specific details of the discussions held through diplomatic and security channels between South Korea and the United States".

"When they (the Chinese) look out from the east coast of China, what they see is there's Korea, the dagger in the heart of Asia," Brunson said, according to a transcript posted on the Strategic Studies Institute of the US Army War College.

Then there's Japan, he added, "sort of that shield that's sort of a backstop, if you will, for them trying and their ambitions beyond that into the South China Sea and then down to their southeast is the Philippines".

The Chinese Embassy in Seoul said Brunson's comments "truly crossed the line", and asked the USFK commander: "are your remarks rife with hostility and aggression regarding China authorized by Washington?"

"By calling your host nation an 'aircraft carrier' or 'dagger' or other such instruments of war, are you merely showing your own belligerence, or are you seeking to use another country as a pawn?" an unnamed spokesperson said, according to a transcript posted on the embassy's website on Friday.

About 28,500 US troops are stationed in South Korea to help guard against the nuclear-armed North.


Russia Recalls Envoy to Armenia for 'Consultations' over Yerevan's EU Ties

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives a speech during a state dinner in honor of the French leader at the presidential palace in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives a speech during a state dinner in honor of the French leader at the presidential palace in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
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Russia Recalls Envoy to Armenia for 'Consultations' over Yerevan's EU Ties

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives a speech during a state dinner in honor of the French leader at the presidential palace in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)
Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan gives a speech during a state dinner in honor of the French leader at the presidential palace in Yerevan on May 4, 2026. (Photo by Ludovic MARIN / AFP)

Russia said Saturday it had recalled its ambassador to Armenia for "consultations" over Yerevan's growing ties with the EU, a day after President Vladimir Putin warned the Caucasus country against pivoting to Brussels.

Armenia has angered the Kremlin by warming ties with the EU in recent years, frustrated with Russia's perceived failure to protect it during conflicts with Azerbaijan, AFP said.

"The Russian ambassador to the Republic of Armenia, S. Kopyrkin, has been recalled to Moscow for consultations on steps taken by the Armenian leadership on a rapprochement with the European Union, undermining cooperation within Eurasian Economic Union," Moscow's foreign ministry said in a statement, referencing the Russian-led customs union.

The diplomat was called back after Putin escalated his rhetoric on Armenia during a summit with allies.

Speaking in Kazakhstan on Friday, Putin said the "Ukrainian scenario" began with Kyiv trying to join the EU and called on Armenia to hold a referendum on the issue "as soon as possible".

Putin said Armenia had to choose between the EU and the EEU, as it was "impossible to reconcile the two".

Armenia will hold an election next Sunday in a test of the premiership of Nikol Pashinyan, who has pursued ties with both Russia and the West.

Armenia held a European summit earlier this month, with the EU hailing a "leap forward" in ties.


Ukrainian Drones Strike Port, Oil Depot in Southern Russia, Authorities Say

Servicemen of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine take part in a tactical training exercise on a shooting range at an undisclosed location in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 29 May 2026, amid the Russian invasion. (EPA)
Servicemen of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine take part in a tactical training exercise on a shooting range at an undisclosed location in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 29 May 2026, amid the Russian invasion. (EPA)
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Ukrainian Drones Strike Port, Oil Depot in Southern Russia, Authorities Say

Servicemen of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine take part in a tactical training exercise on a shooting range at an undisclosed location in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 29 May 2026, amid the Russian invasion. (EPA)
Servicemen of the 13th Khartiia Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine take part in a tactical training exercise on a shooting range at an undisclosed location in the Kharkiv region, northeastern Ukraine, 29 May 2026, amid the Russian invasion. (EPA)

Ukrainian ‌drones struck a tanker at Russia's port of Taganrog overnight and hit an oil depot in the city of Armavir, authorities in the southern regions of Rostov and Krasnodar said on Saturday.

Rostov region Governor Yury Slyusar said on Telegram ‌that fires on ‌the tanker and in ‌the ⁠port of Taganrog - ⁠a city of about 240,000 - had been extinguished, with no oil spill reported. Two people were injured, he said.

The city's mayor, Svetlana Kambulova, ⁠said a local state of emergency, ‌introduced ‌on May 27, had been extended.

In ‌the neighboring Krasnodar region, ‌authorities in Armavir, which has a population of 185,000, said a fire at an oil depot in the ‌city's industrial zone had been brought under control and ⁠that ⁠there were no injuries.

Rostov governor Slyusar said that almost 50 drones had been downed in the region, with attacks reported across the province, which borders Ukraine's Donbas, the focus of fighting between Russia and Ukraine.

Outside Taganrog, he said, only minor damage was reported.