As questions mount over presidential health transparency, the White House Press Secretary broke her silence, revealing new details about the president’s recent physical and his reaction to the former president’s cancer diagnosis.
Karoline Leavitt spoke to reporters recently and provided an update on President Donald Trump’s health after Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis was made public. Her remarks came during a press briefing where she responded to several questions about the matter.
A reporter asked if President Trump had contacted Biden directly or intended to do so following his public message on Truth Social.
Leavitt replied, “Not to my knowledge. I don’t believe they have spoken, but I’m sure the president would be open to doing that. I spoke to him last night about the former president’s cancer diagnosis, and the statement that he was put out was the initial reaction he had with me on the phone as well.”
Questions then turned to the White House medical team and whether Trump had concerns about the quality of care following reports that doctors may have missed the early stages of Biden’s condition.
Leavitt stated, “Not as far as President Trump is concerned. The White House physician we have here is phenomenal. The team of physicians that take care of the president, particularly at Walter Reed Medical Center, are great. The president had his physical recently, as you know, he had perfect results. He’s in very good shape.”
Leavitt added that Trump’s stamina had been on full display during recent official travel. “I think those of you who traveled to the Middle East with us last week could attest to the president’s endurance.”
“And by the way, I will add, we returned home from a very long and tiring trip last week, and on Saturday, where was the president? In the Oval Office, working all day. He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t quit. He’s in great health and he trusts his physicians,” she expressed.
Another reporter asked if President Trump had undergone prostate cancer screening as part of his physical exam. In response, Leavitt said, “To the best of my understanding, he is. But we can certainly check in with the White House physician and go back and look at that physical report.”
The briefing took place amid growing public attention surrounding former president Joe Biden’s recent diagnosis. According to a statement from his office, Biden was diagnosed on Friday with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones.
The statement, released on May 18, 2025, explained that Biden had recently experienced increasing urinary symptoms and was evaluated after a new prostate nodule was discovered.
His cancer was identified as having a Gleason score of 9, categorized as Grade Group 5, which indicates a highly aggressive form of the disease.
Despite the serious nature of the diagnosis, the statement noted that the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. Biden, who is 82 years old, is currently at his home in Wilmington, Delaware. His family is reviewing treatment options with his physicians.
In a message shared on X, the former president wrote, “Cancer touches us all,” and added that he and his wife, Jill Biden, “have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
Medical professionals not involved in Biden’s treatment offered some context for the diagnosis. Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, a urologist and robotic surgeon at Orlando Health, explained that prostate cancer is very common among older men.
Dr. Benjamin Davies, a professor of urologic oncology at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, mentioned that a Gleason score of 9 is the most aggressive form of prostate cancer.
As questions about presidential health remain in focus, more information has emerged about President Donald Trump’s condition and the physical he underwent earlier this year.
On April 11, 2025, Trump visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for his first annual physical since returning to office.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, “Overall, I felt I was in very good shape. Good heart. A good soul. Very good soul. I took—I wanted to be a little different than Biden. I took a cognitive test. I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right.”
According to a memorandum issued by the White House physician, Captain Sean P. Barbabella, the President’s evaluation included routine diagnostics, lab tests, and reviews from multiple specialists.
