Cardiologist says Trump looked 'unwell' during speech, raising health concerns

A prominent cardiologist who treated former Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday that he is "seriously concerned" about President Donald Trump’s health after a recent speech, telling followers on X that the president looked unwell. Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a CNN medical analyst who treated Cheney’s serious heart disease and eulogized him after his death last month, did not offer medical specifics but described Trump’s appearance and delivery as troubling. "I’m seriously concerned about the health of the president," Reiner wrote, adding that "no one should be happy to see the president like this. He looks unwell."\n\nReiner did not diagnose Trump in public remarks, but he criticized the president’s tone and what he termed a manic pace during the remarks defending his administration. The comments follow broader questions about Trump’s health that have circulated since his public disclosures, including a New York Times report that noted a significant dip in the president’s activity level and prompted Trump to lash out at the newspaper, calling its coverage "seditious, perhaps even treasonous." Reiner’s past work with Cheney is noted in the same context, as he reiterated his professional ties while commenting on the current president. The White House, for its part, has previously disclosed health details tied to Trump’s venous health and other non-specific concerns, with officials noting swollen ankles attributed to chronic venous insufficiency and ongoing hand bruising.\n\nThe remarks add to a broader public-health narrative surrounding Trump’s fitness as he campaigns, with supporters often highlighting stamina and pace as indicators of health and opponents pressing for greater transparency about medical assessments. In the current moment, Reiner’s comments represent a medical professional publicly questioning the president’s health in the wake of a televised address, without offering a formal diagnosis or medical review.\n\nSeparately, the New York Times described a marked decrease in daily activity attributed to Trump, a finding that drew scrutiny from journalists and critics alike and led to stronger pushback from the president toward the Times. In July, the White House acknowledged a medical concern related to venous insufficiency causing swollen ankles and noted persistent bruising on the president’s hands, a detail that has drawn attention amid broader health conversations surrounding his public appearances.\n\nThe public health dimension of Trump’s candidacy remains a point of contention in a polarized political environment, with medical observers rarely able to provide definitive conclusions without access to comprehensive medical records. Reiner’s observations, shared in a public post, underscore the ongoing debate over how much information should be disclosed and how health is weighed in evaluating a candidate’s readiness for the presidency.\n\n