By William J. Furney
As the 2024 election cycle intensifies, the issue of candidates’ health and fitness for office takes centre stage. This weekend, US Vice President Kamala Harris released her full medical report, revealing a clean bill of health, underscoring her capability to step into the presidency if needed. Meanwhile, former president Donald Trump, at 78, has yet to provide a detailed medical disclosure, despite recently stating he would.
A Healthy Vice President
In a two-page summary authored by Dr. Joshua Simmons, Harris’ physician, the 59-year-old vice president was declared in “excellent health.” The report, released on Saturday, states that Harris “possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency,” should she need to step into the role. This includes the rigours of serving as Chief Executive, Head of State and Commander in Chief.
According to the letter, Harris leads a highly active lifestyle, engaging in vigorous daily aerobic exercise and core strength training, while also following a healthy diet. Her latest physical examination, conducted in April, showed no concerns. Her vital signs included a blood pressure of 128/74, a heart rate of 78 beats per minute and a pulse oximetry of 100%, all within healthy ranges.
Simmons also detailed Harris’ treatment for seasonal allergies and hives, conditions she manages with immunotherapy. The vice president’s family medical history includes colon cancer, which claimed her mother at the age of 70, and Harris herself is up to date on preventive care, including mammograms and colonoscopies.
A Stark Contrast
Harris’ decision to release a full medical summary was no doubt a strategic move by her campaign to highlight transparency, particularly in comparison to her political rival, Trump. Trump would be the oldest president to serve a second term if re-elected, raising questions about his fitness for office. His health has been a topic of significant speculation, especially given his reluctance to release detailed medical reports.
Despite Trump’s recent comments suggesting he would share his health records, he has yet to follow through. The last substantive medical disclosure from the former president dates back to his time in office, when his then-physician, Dr. Ronny Jackson, described Trump as being in “excellent health.” But these assessments were widely criticised for being overly vague, failing to include detailed results on key metrics such as weight, cholesterol, or the results of more thorough testing.
Adding to concerns, Trump was involved in a near-miss assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July, when his ear was grazed by a bullet. His campaign has not provided updated medical information following the incident, raising further questions about his health.
Transparency on the Line
While Trump has built a campaign persona around strength and vitality, it’s his physical and mental fitness that has come under scrutiny more than once. During the 2020 election, Trump repeatedly questioned then-candidate Joe Biden’s fitness, pointing to his age and energy levels. Now that Biden, who was 81, is no longer a contender, attention has shifted to Trump himself.
In contrast, Harris’ release of her medical history not only serves to calm any concerns over her ability to lead but also to push the conversation back onto Trump. The vice president’s openness is a signal that she and her campaign are confident in her ability to step into the role of president, should the need arise. It also allows the Harris camp to take the moral high ground in terms of transparency, particularly given the growing narrative of Trump’s reluctance to share his health information.
A Campaign Issue?
With the US presidency one of the most physically and mentally demanding roles in the world, the health of those seeking the office is always of public interest. In recent years, it has become a central part of election coverage, as voters want reassurance that the candidates are fit for office.
Trump’s age, coupled with recent events such as the assassination attempt, make his health an increasingly relevant issue. Despite claims from his campaign that he remains in excellent condition, the lack of detailed reports leaves many voters questioning whether Trump, who would be 82 by the end of a potential second term, is truly fit to serve.
On Saturday, Harris directly addressed the issue, inviting the public to judge for themselves by watching Trump’s rallies. “It’s clear to me that he and his team do not want the American people to really see what he is doing and if he is fit to be the president,” she told reporters.
Whether Trump eventually releases more detailed medical records remains to be seen. His campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, said on Saturday that Trump has voluntarily released updates from his personal physician, but these documents offer little in terms of specifics. Critics have been quick to point out that without a full medical summary like Harris’ report, questions will continue to linger.
The Importance of Medical Transparency
Ultimately, the medical fitness of any presidential candidate is not just a matter of political optics; it’s a question of capability and longevity in one of the most demanding jobs on the planet. By releasing her medical report, Harris is providing the public with concrete information, while the Trump campaign’s delay leaves voters in the dark.
As election day draws nearer, Harris has set the tone for openness and transparency, something that will likely resonate with voters seeking reassurance in the health and stamina of their next president. Whether Trump’s campaign will respond in kind remains one of the most pressing questions of the election.
* Image: File.