The New York magazine profile by Ben Terris reports that President Trump’s aides and some medical staff have offered lavish, sometimes implausible defenses of his physical condition amid visible bruises and ankle swelling. Key claims include Marco Rubio calling Trump “too healthy,” a White House physician praising his skin and stamina, and Rep. Ronny Jackson describing a vigorous 10-minute treadmill test. The piece presents these testimonials as part of an effort to portray the president as unusually vigorous, despite visible injuries and varying official explanations.
“What Beautiful Skin You Have”: Five Over-the-Top Claims About President Trump’s Health
A New York magazine profile by Ben Terris finds members of President Donald Trump’s inner circle offering flamboyant defenses of his physical condition as visible bruises on his hands and swelling around his ankles fuel public speculation. The piece, headlined "The Superhuman President: A Good-Faith Attempt to Ascertain the Truth About Donald Trump’s Health," collects interviews with aides, staff and medical personnel that at times read more like promotional copy than sober medical assessment.
Five Notable Claims From the Profile
1. Marco Rubio: "Too Healthy, Too Active"
“The guy is too healthy. He’s too active,” Rubio told Terris during an interview at the White House, praising Trump’s energy, memory and attention to detail.
2. Hand Bruises Explained Away — And Praised
Terris describes noticing a prominent bruise on the back of Trump’s right hand and dry, gray patches on the skin. Captain Sean Barbabella, identified as a lead physician attending the president, echoed the administration’s explanation—frequent handshakes and ordinary accidents—but also relayed how staff compliment the president’s skin. Barbabella quoted Trump as saying, “Look, this one’s perfect. People say, ‘What beautiful skin you have.’”
3. Staff Praise His Stamina
“He can work harder and he has a better memory and he has more stamina and has more energy than a normal mortal,” said Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, urging the story headline should be “The Superhuman President.”
4. Medical Staff Prefer Trump Over Obama, According To One PA
When asked who was healthier, Trump or former President Barack Obama, Colonel James Jones, a physician’s assistant at the White House who also worked under Obama, reportedly answered without hesitation: “President Trump.”
5. Treadmill Test From First Term
Rep. Ronny Jackson, who served as the president’s physician during Trump’s first term, recalled putting Trump on a treadmill to assess cardiovascular fitness. Jackson said Trump walked briskly on an incline for about ten minutes, an effort Jackson described as something fewer than 10 percent of men of the president’s age could achieve, adding, “He looked like an athlete, for the record.”
Context And Caveats
The profile highlights a consistent pattern: allies and some medical staff offering emphatic testimonials to counter public concern about visible injuries and overall fitness. The White House has provided multiple, sometimes inconsistent explanations for specific injuries—saying one bruise came from hitting a table corner, while Trump has blamed fingernails, rings, and an awkward high-five at different times. The piece leaves readers to weigh whether these accounts are reassuring, self-promotional, or evasive.
Source: New York magazine profile by Ben Terris. Rereported here with emphasis on clarity and context.
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