CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner criticized the White House health memo about President Trump’s preventative MRI imaging, calling the document ‘laughable’ and ‘evasive’ during an appearance on CNN’s News Central.
02:39 ET, 11 Dec 2025Updated 03:33 ET, 11 Dec 2025
CNN interrupted for breaking Trump health news in devastating blow (Image: GETTY)
CNN paused their broadcast for breaking news about the US president. Medical expert Dr. Jonathan Reiner dismissed the latest statements from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt regarding Donald Trump as “laughable” in a scathing assessment.
This follows the revelation earlier this month that the US president had undergone “advanced imaging” of his abdomen and cardiovascular system for “preventative” purposes, according to the White House. Trump clarified that the MRI performed in October wasn’t focused on his brain and described the results as “perfect,” though he admitted uncertainty about what exactly was examined.
On December 1, Leavitt informed reporters in a comprehensive memo that the president had received a “preventative MRI” to assess his heart and abdomen, which Reiner discussed on CNN’s News Central. Trump had made a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, in October for his second “yearly” examination this year.
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“Well, there really is no preventative cardiac MRI,” he explained to guest host Boris Sanchez.
CNN medical analyst Dr Reiner addressed Trump’s MRI results(Image: CNN)
“This is not a standard test for an 80-year-old man to undergo advanced imaging,” Reiner went on. “Boris, the whole note has kind of a weird and defensive, evasive tone to it. First of all, this is not part of the president’s comprehensive physical examination.”
“Dr. Barbabella, the president’s physician, states that he underwent advanced imaging,” he continued.
“Well, what specific advanced imaging did the president have? Was it an MRI, as the president said?
“Was it a CT? Did he have both? Why not just spell it out?” Trump claimed at the time that the MRI results were “was perfect”.
The doctor suggested that this recent examination was “obviously” carried out due to “some clinical concern,” pointing out that Trump is approaching 80 years of age.
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“So instead of this kind of evasive, almost laughable kind of note, just spell out what happened.”
Reiner wrapped up by saying: “But again, it just doesn’t seem to fit with reality and, you know, I think most physicians would basically agree that advanced imaging is not a routine part of an executive physical for a man or a woman of any age.”
Leavitt presents the document
White House press secretary Leavitt presented the document at a news briefing earlier this month concerning Trump’s MRI, saying: “I think that’s quite a bit of detail in the effort of transparency.
“The president promised it last night and we have it delivered today.”
Trump has been observed with puffy ankles and marks on his right hand and has been seen seemingly nodding off during meetings.
In July, the White House announced that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a vein disorder that can lead to swelling in the legs.
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