CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner has voiced concerns over the White House's disclosure of President Donald Trump's health status, calling for greater transparency.
In a guest opinion piece for The New York Times, Reiner, who previously served as a cardiologist for former Vice President Dick Cheney, stated that "we have been kept in the dark too long." He noted that despite assurances from the White House, the president has "not looked well" at various times over the past year.
Reiner, who has not personally examined Trump, pointed to observations from recent photographs that suggest potential health issues. These include bruising on the president's hands, swollen ankles, and a perceived tendency to doze off in public. He also highlighted that Trump has undergone advanced imaging for unspecified reasons, leaving the public to question the leader's well-being.
The medical expert posed seven questions that he believes the White House should address. Among them is why the 80-year-old president consulted 22 doctors and specialists during his most recent physical examination and the rationale behind frequent cognitive tests.
Reiner also questioned discrepancies in the official health record. He cited the White House's explanation for Trump's swollen ankles, attributed to chronic venous insufficiency. However, Reiner noted that this diagnosis came months after a prior medical visit where the condition was not mentioned. He argued that if the swelling was recent, it would be considered acute, a potentially more serious symptom that could indicate underlying issues like heart or kidney disease, and questioned the reason for this apparent discrepancy.
Further inquiries from Reiner included the president's use of a high dose of aspirin and his reported "struggle to stay awake."