Trump Says Former White House Doctor Told Him He’s ‘Healthier by Far’ Than Obama

President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed that a former White House physician once told him he was “by far the healthiest” compared with former President Barack Obama — and even President Joe Biden.

Speaking at a Hanukkah reception at the White House on Dec. 16, the 79-year-old president made the remark while introducing Rep. Ronny Jackson of Texas, a retired Navy officer who previously served as White House physician under both the Obama and Trump administrations.

“Ronny was my White House doctor,” Trump said. “They asked him, ‘Who’s the healthiest of all? Barack Hussein Obama? Sleepy Joe Biden? Or Donald Trump?’ And he said Trump was by far the healthiest.”

Jackson served as the president’s physician during part of Trump’s first term and previously held the same role during Obama’s presidency beginning in 2013. Biden, now 83, was vice president at the time and later had a different physician during his own presidency.

Trump went on to praise Jackson enthusiastically, joking that their relationship might not have survived had the answer been different. “If he didn’t say that, I would never have talked to him again,” Trump said, adding, “Ronny Jackson — what a great legend.”

Jackson left the White House Medical Unit and was elected to Congress in 2021, representing Texas’ 13th District. His tenure as a military physician has not been without controversy. In 2022, he was reportedly demoted by the Navy following allegations of misconduct during his time at the White House, according to a Washington Post report. Earlier this year, Jackson shared a letter stating that his rank had been reinstated.

Trump has repeatedly highlighted Jackson’s assessments of his health. In August, Jackson told the Daily Beast that Trump was “the healthiest president this nation has ever seen,” citing his 14 years of service across three administrations. Trump echoed similar comments at a Mar-a-Lago gala in November, again recounting Jackson’s praise.

Health questions surrounding Trump have persisted as he serves his second term. Earlier this month, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt released details from Trump’s most recent medical evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to current White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump underwent abdominal and cardiovascular MRI scans in October, both of which came back “perfectly normal.”

Barbabella said the tests were part of a comprehensive physical exam appropriate for someone of Trump’s age and confirmed that the president “remains in excellent overall health.”

In July, Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition that affects blood flow in the legs. Despite that diagnosis, the White House has emphasized that the condition is manageable and not uncommon among older adults.

Trump is currently the oldest person ever elected president of the United States and is expected to surpass Joe Biden as the oldest sitting president before his term concludes.