The White House has dropped the report.
On Saturday, the White House released a health report from Vice President Kamala Harris’s doctor, confirming that she is in “excellent health.” This announcement comes as the 59-year-old Democratic nominee aims to differentiate herself from former President Trump, who is 79 and has not shared recent health updates.
Dr. Joshua R. Simmons, Harris’s Army physician, stated in the report that she possesses the necessary physical and mental resilience to fulfill the duties of the presidency, including her roles as Chief Executive, Head of State, and Commander in Chief. Harris’s advisers suggested that her office disclose her medical history to emphasize the contrast with Trump’s health and cognitive abilities, especially since he would be the oldest president if elected for a second term.
President Biden, who is 81, announced his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race in July amid concerns from the Democratic Party regarding his age and noticeable fatigue. This situation has led Democrats to proactively address Trump’s health, a topic that was previously considered a vulnerability for them. During an August CBS News interview, Trump claimed he would “gladly” share his medical records and mentioned achieving a “perfect score” on a recent exam, although he has not yet done so.
Dr. Simmons described Harris’s most recent medical exam in April 2024 as “unremarkable.” He noted that she has no significant health issues and maintains a healthy lifestyle, incorporating regular exercise and a balanced diet. Harris does not smoke and consumes alcohol only occasionally and in moderation. The report also indicated that she has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, a common skin condition. To manage these conditions, Harris takes Allegra and has been undergoing allergen immunotherapy for three years.
Additional information from the report includes that Harris is nearsighted and requires corrective lenses, and she has a family history of colon cancer. Importantly, she stays current with preventive care, including colonoscopies and annual mammograms. This decision to share her medical information comes in light of a New York Times article highlighting Trump’s lack of transparency regarding his health, particularly after a close call with an assassin’s bullet during a campaign rally in July.
Despite previous health updates, Trump’s team has faced scrutiny over the accuracy of those reports, especially following a COVID-19 diagnosis in 2020, where it was suggested that he was sicker than publicly acknowledged. Trump’s latest health assessment came in November 2023, stating that his overall health is excellent, according to his personal physician, Bruce Aronwald. In response to the health report from Harris, Trump’s campaign emphasized that he has provided updates from his personal physician and that both he and Dr. Ronny Jackson, who treated Trump after the assassination attempt, concluded that he is in excellent health. They further claimed that Trump maintains a vigorous campaign schedule, suggesting that Harris has not kept pace with the demands of campaigning.
