
Tapper Presses Trump on Health Record Transparency
CNN’s Jake Tapper says Trump hasn’t fully disclosed health records, despite his own past role in Biden health cover-up.
Tapper Calls for Greater Scrutiny of Trump’s Medical Records
CNN anchor Jake Tapper, who co-authored a newly released book about the Biden administration’s handling of the president’s health, has turned the spotlight on President Donald Trump, saying he has not been sufficiently transparent about his own medical records. Tapper made the comments Thursday during an appearance on “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.”
Tapper’s book, titled Original Sin and co-written with Axios reporter Alex Thompson, alleges a broad cover-up by Biden’s aides to conceal signs of the president’s cognitive and physical decline. The book details episodes suggesting Biden’s health had deteriorated during his term, with staffers allegedly working to suppress that information.
However, Tapper drew criticism for his own past coverage, with some accusing him of downplaying Biden’s health concerns during his presidency. In recent appearances, Tapper has admitted that the press—including himself—could have been more aggressive in demanding clarity. “I think that the press corps, and I’m certainly including myself, needs to worry less about politeness when it comes to these health issues and be more aggressive about demanding transparency,” he said.
Turning to Trump, Tapper said, “While he appears healthy, he has not been transparent about his health records. I think that’s something the American people have a right to.”
Trump’s Health Declared ‘Excellent’ by White House Physician
On April 13, 2025, the White House released the findings of President Trump’s annual physical exam, conducted at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The exam, performed and supervised by Navy Capt. Sean P. Barbabella, included diagnostics, lab tests, and consultations with 14 specialists. According to Barbabella, the examination was conducted in line with recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
“The President has consented to release the physical exam findings to the public,” Barbabella stated. The summary declared Trump to be in “excellent health,” noting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and general physical function. His “active lifestyle,” the report added, contributes significantly to his well-being.
Despite the release of these results, Tapper argued that transparency involves more than annual summaries. His remarks come as critics point out that Trump has not consistently provided full disclosure of his medical records during past campaigns and presidencies.
Critics of Tapper accuse him of seeking to profit from revelations he previously downplayed. His recent admissions are viewed by some as retrospective justification, while others say they represent overdue accountability in media coverage of presidential health.
The book’s release and Tapper’s new remarks also come in the wake of revelations about Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis, which reignited debate over health transparency for aging political leaders. A spokesperson later revealed that Biden’s last screening for prostate cancer had been in 2014, further fueling scrutiny.
As the public increasingly questions the health of aging political figures, calls for full disclosure from both parties are growing louder. Whether Tapper’s remarks will shift media practices or voter expectations remains to be seen.