The White House recently released a report from Vice President Kamala Harris’ doctor declaring her to be in “excellent health.” The report emphasized Harris’ physical and mental resilience, affirming that she possesses the necessary qualities to fulfill the duties of the Presidency. Harris’ decision to release her medical history and health information aimed to draw attention to the health and mental acuity of former President Trump, who has not made recent health disclosures. This move was part of an effort to differentiate Harris from Trump, as well as highlight concerns about Trump’s advanced age and health.
The report from Dr. Joshua R. Simmons, Harris’ Army physician, detailed Harris’ most recent medical exam in April 2024 as “unremarkable.” It revealed that Harris has no major health issues and maintains a healthy, active lifestyle despite her busy schedule. Harris, a 59-year-old female, has a medical history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, a common skin condition. She manages her allergies with Allegra and has undergone allergen immunotherapy for the past three years. The report also mentioned Harris’ family history of colon cancer and her adherence to preventative care recommendations, including colonoscopy and annual mammograms.
Trump’s lack of transparency regarding his health was highlighted in comparison to Harris’ willingness to release detailed medical information. The report noted instances where Trump did not release accurate updates on his condition, following events such as a 2020 COVID diagnosis and a would-be assassin’s bullet grazing his head at a campaign rally in July. While Trump has claimed to be in perfect health, concerns have been raised by medical experts about potential health issues that could impact his ability to serve as President in a second term.
In response to questions about his health, Trump’s campaign spokesperson pointed to a letter released by Trump’s personal physician, as well as reports from former White House doctor Rep. Ronny Jackson, who treated Trump after the failed assassination attempt. The campaign asserted that Trump has maintained excellent health and is fit to serve as Commander in Chief. Trump’s vigorous campaign schedule was contrasted with Harris’ lighter workload, with insinuations that Harris lacks the stamina required to be President. Polls were cited as evidence of this alleged difference in readiness between the two candidates.
The decision to release Harris’ medical information was part of a broader strategy by Democrats to challenge Trump and highlight potential concerns about his health. President Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 presidential election due to age and fatigue concerns had prompted Democrats to reassess their approach to Trump, leading to a focus on health disclosures and transparency. By releasing her medical history and engaging in discussions about health and fitness for the Presidency, Harris aimed to demonstrate her readiness and contrast herself with Trump on this important issue.
Overall, the release of Harris’ medical report shed light on the contrasting approaches to health disclosures between Harris and Trump. While Harris was transparent about her health and made efforts to ensure the public had access to her medical information, concerns lingered about Trump’s transparency and the potential impact of undisclosed health issues on his candidacy. The debate over candidates’ health and readiness for the Presidency remained a key point of contention in the lead-up to the 2024 election.
