Stephen Colbert raises alarm over Trump's MRI scan: 'Something’s wrong with you'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Stephen Colbert couldn't resist commenting on President Donald Trump’s recent disclosure that he underwent an MRI scan during his Oct 10 visit to Walter Reed Medical Center.

In his Tuesday monologue, Colbert noted that MRI scans are typically conducted for specific medical reasons rather than as a standard procedure.

“Quick reminder,” Colbert said in his monologue, “People don’t just get an MRI." Trump described the results as “perfect,” while White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the scan was part of a routine medical examination.

Stephen Colbert states test taken by Trump is series of simple exercises

Colbert utilized his Tuesday monologue to take a jibe at Trump, contending that an MRI is hardly a routine medical exam. Colbert explained, “It’s usually something you only get when the doctors think something’s wrong with you. Scans are typically ordered for disease detection and monitoring, or to detect bone or joint abnormalities.”

Colbert pointed out the White House's denial of releasing the reason why the scan was done, regardless of Trump's assertions of his "perfect MRI" results: “That’s not comforting. What were they looking for?”

Colbert played a clip of Trump using his successful pass of the cognitive test to invite "low IQ" Democrats Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jasmine Crockett to try it out.

Colbert quickly moved to correct Trump’s interpretation of the exam’s purpose. He highlighted the core distinction between the screening instrument and an intelligence test: "As a reminder, the cognitive test Trump took is not designed as a measure of intelligence or IQ."

The host then made a sharp joke: “And not knowing the difference between those two things is one of the reasons they make you take a cognitive test.”

Colbert then minimized how hard the exam Trump passed, joking, “The test Trump took is just a set of simple tasks such as identifying animals, and Trump crushed it!”

Cardiologist raises concerns about Trump’s MRI scan

A leading cardiologist speaking to CNN commented on Trump’s health, suggesting that the president may have quietly undergone an MRI scan due to possible neurological concerns.

Dr Jonathan Reiner, former Vice President Dick Cheney's cardiologist, claimed, "An MRI is never part of a routine evaluation, whether you're President of the United States or whether you're just a civilian."

“Typically, MRIs are prompted by symptoms,” Reiner explained. “They can be neurologic symptoms that prompt an MRI. They could be back pain that prompts an MRI. There can be issues with the heart that would prompt an MRI. And for those reasons, the public should really be told, you know, why did the president undergo the test, what consultants he saw, and what was the result of the testing?”

The announcement of the MRI followed ongoing worries about the president's cognitive well-being, which were compounded by Trump himself telling about passing a "very hard" test in April 2025. 

Trump says he had 'perfect' MRI at Walter Reed hospital

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, Oct 27, as he departed for a week-long trip to Asia, that he underwent an MRI scan during a recent visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

It is to be noted that Trump at 79, one of the oldest presidents in US history. He, however, did not specify the reason for the scan, which is typically used to detect a range of medical conditions.

The MRI was reportedly conducted during his visit to Walter Reed earlier this month, when his physician described him as being in “exceptional health.”

When asked why he underwent the MRI, Trump told reporters to “ask the doctors.” Presidential physician Dr Sean Barbabella later explained in a statement that the appointment was a “scheduled follow-up evaluation” conducted as part of Trump’s ongoing health maintenance plan.