Harris and Trump Release Medical Records on Their Health Status

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris is reported to be "in excellent health" and "equipped with the physical and mental stability" necessary for occupying the presidency, according to a letter released by her doctor outlining Harris's medical history and status, CBS reports.

Joshua Simmons, a U.S. Army Colonel and Harris's physician, stated that the 59-year-old Harris leads a healthy, active lifestyle and that her most recent medical examination last April revealed "no significant" findings. Simmons, who has been Harris's personal physician for the past three and a half years, noted that her medical history includes records of allergic reactions and asthma, for which she has undergone allergen immunotherapy over the last three years. The report also indicated that the vice president wears contact lenses due to mild nearsightedness. He mentioned her family history, including the presence of colon cancer in her mother, and stated that the vice president is aware of preventive measures including colonoscopies and annual mammograms.

At the same time, media outlets report that Harris did not release her medical documents during the 2020 election campaign when she ran as vice president on the ticket of the current president, Joe Biden. Harris's campaign team views the release of her medical history as an opportunity to draw attention to the physical health and mental capability of former president and Republican presidential candidate, 78-year-old Donald Trump.

Harris's advisors suggest they may compare her age with Trump’s to encourage him to release more recent information. Following the release of Harris's health status, Trump’s campaign issued a statement declaring that their candidate "is in perfect and excellent health to serve as Commander in Chief," although no details regarding his health were provided. The last published medical documents from the former president were letters made public by Dr. Ronnie Jackson following an assassination attempt against Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. In November 2023, Trump released a letter from his osteopath, Bruce Aronwald, stating that he was examined in September 2023 and that his "overall health is excellent." No information was given regarding his vital signs or medications used. In an interview with CBS News in August, Trump mentioned he would be happy to release his medical documents and that he recently underwent a health check and received a "top score." If elected in November, Trump would become the oldest president in U.S. history upon the conclusion of his term.