“Party of science.”
On Tuesday, White House physician Dr. Ronny Jackson briefed reporters on President Donald Trump’s health exam, which he performed last week. Jackson revealed that the results of Trump’s exam were good, and he does not have any health issues that would prevent him from performing his duties as president.
Despite the clean bill of health, prominent liberals, commentators and news personalities have voiced their skepticism of Jackson’s assessment. Some have even gone as far to call the military officer a liar:
I couldn’t care less about Trump’s weight. But why have his doctor lie about it? At Trump’s height and size, he doesn’t weigh 239 pounds unless those diet cokes he’s drinking are made with helium.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) January 16,2018
All of them have about the same height and weight, per the White House health report.
Let me know when you’ve stopped laughing.
I’ll be here. #DaftTaft pic.twitter.com/iXJNdNNq1n
— Steve Marmel (@Marmel) January 17,2018
Dr. Jackson is by all accounts a credible, able clinician. He is also not a psychiatrist or sociologist. He can only assess Trump’s physical health, which he says is surprisingly good for someone of Trump’s age, weight and diet. Again, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) January 16,2018
Seeing a lot of skepticism over the idea that @realDonaldTrump weighs only 239 pounds. Would he step on a scale in public to prove it?
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) January 16,2018
Here’s how the next few hours will go. Trump supporters will say “Concerns about Trump’s mental health were always absurd. Case closed now.” The obvious response: “The Q’s about fitness for office are serious. Someone could be sharp as a tack, but still unfit”
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) January 16,2018
However, members of former President Barack Obama’s administration have defended Jackson, as he has been the presidential physician since 2013:
Agree 100%. Ronny Jackson is rock solid. And decent to his core. https://t.co/d4gDKhXvsL
— Jay Carney (@JayCarney) January 17,2018
Dr. Jackson is a phenomenal doctor and a really great guy. He and his team took great care of all of us for many years
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) January 16,2018
During Tuesday’s White House press briefing, where Jackson announced his assessment, the doctor was asked how Trump could be so healthy, given his reportedly fast-food-heavy diet.
“It’s called genetics,” Jackson replied. “I don’t know. Some people have just great genes. You know, I told the president that if he had a healthier diet over the last 20 years, he might live to be 200 years old. I don’t know. I mean, he has incredible genes, I just assume.”
