Majority of Americans think White House is hiding truth about Trump's health, poll finds

WASHINGTON, DC: A majority of Americans say the White House is not being transparent about President Donald Trump’s health, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll released this week.

Trump, who turned 80 earlier this month, has faced increased scrutiny over his physical and mental fitness during his second term, including questions raised after he was photographed with bruising on his hand and after several instances in which he appeared to doze off during public appearances.

Poll finds split concerns over physical and mental fitness

Fifty-nine per cent of voters think the White House is not being transparent about Trump's health, while 34 per cent think the administration has been open about it, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

"Is the president physically and mentally well? On both questions, half of voters have their concerns, and a majority think the White House is keeping them in the dark," Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said in a Wednesday news release of the poll's findings.

Fifty per cent of voters in the survey believe Trump is not physically healthy, and another 51 per cent think he's mentally unwell based on what they have seen and heard.

Trump has maintained that he is in strong health.

In May, he underwent his second medical checkup since October at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, after which he wrote on Truth Social that "everything checked out PERFECTLY."

White House physician Sean P Barbabella said in a memo following the exam that Trump "remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function," and is "fully fit to carry out all duties of the Commander-in-Chief and Head of State."

Barbabella attributed the hand bruising to frequent handshaking and aspirin use, and noted slight swelling in Trump's lower leg that he said had improved compared to the previous year.

Scrutiny over presidential health follows years of debate from both parties

Barbabella said that Trump's hand bruising was from frequent handshaking and aspirin use. The doctor also noted slight swelling in Trump's lower leg, but added that it had improved from last year.

Trump also took a neurological exam, which Barbabella said "demonstrated normal mental status."

Physical fitness and mental acuity in the leader of the free world have become a growing concern since the 2024 presidential election, when then-78-year-old Trump was campaigning against then-81-year-old President Joe Biden.

Trump is barred by law from running for president again in 2028, but questions are being raised about how his health may affect his ability to carry out his duties over the next several years.

At a congressional hearing earlier this month, Rep Ted Lieu (D-Calif) challenged Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Trump appearing to nap in public.

When Rubio said he's "never seen him fall asleep," Lieu showed him a video of Trump appearing to doze off during a Cabinet meeting.

"You are literally talking about issues of war and peace, and Donald Trump is sleeping right next to you," Lieu said.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the poll's findings.