President Donald Trump said Saturday that he had once again passed a cognitive test with a perfect score, using the claim to push back against renewed scrutiny over his health and mental fitness after the publication of a new book examining his return to the White House.
Writing on social media, Trump said he had “just finished” a physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and requested another cognitive assessment, adding that he answered every question correctly. The White House later clarified that the president was referring to the comprehensive medical examination he underwent in late May, when officials said he was in excellent health.
“I just finished a perfect physical at Walter Reed,” Trump wrote. “I do it every six months, and I requested another Cognitive Test, the only President to do so, three times, and I aced them all — got every question right.”
Trump, who turned 80 in June, has repeatedly highlighted his performance on cognitive tests as part of his effort to counter questions about his physical and mental condition. He has frequently argued that few presidents have voluntarily taken such assessments and has consistently said he received perfect scores.
The president’s latest comments came as he launched a fresh attack on New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan, whose recently published book, “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump,” has generated significant attention in Washington.
According to the book, some White House aides privately expressed concerns about Trump’s age, stamina and overall physical condition during his return to office. The authors describe internal discussions about the demands of the presidency and whether the nation’s oldest commander in chief could maintain the pace required by the job.
Trump dismissed those suggestions while criticizing the authors in the same social media post in which he touted the results of his cognitive assessment.
At 80, Trump is the oldest person ever to serve as president of the United States. His age has placed renewed attention on the health of senior political leaders, an issue that became central during the 2024 presidential campaign.
Questions surrounding the cognitive abilities of former President Joe Biden ultimately led Biden to abandon his bid for reelection in 2024 after growing pressure from fellow Democrats and concerns about his ability to continue serving another term.
The debate over the health of aging leaders has since remained a prominent issue in American politics, with both major parties facing increased public scrutiny over the physical and mental fitness of their candidates.
The White House has continued to maintain that Trump’s medical evaluations show he remains fit to carry out the duties of the presidency. Officials said his latest remarks referred to the physical examination conducted in May rather than a new medical visit.
Trump has made cognitive testing a recurring part of his public messaging, often citing his perfect scores as evidence that he remains mentally sharp despite his age. His latest comments suggest that the issue is likely to remain part of the broader political debate as his administration continues to face questions about leadership, endurance and the demands of the presidency.
