Kamala Harris Urges Trump to Release Medical Records Amid Election Race
TL/DR –
Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has criticized her opponent, Donald Trump, for not releasing his comprehensive medical records, while she has made hers public. Over 200 doctors and healthcare professionals have also signed an open letter urging Trump to disclose his health information, particularly due to his age, arguing that the public needs confidence in their elected officials’ capacities to fulfill their duties. While Trump has shared some information, including a letter from his doctor declaring him in “excellent health”, he has yet to release comprehensive records, arguing that the public already has enough information on his health.
Democratic Nominee Kamala Harris Urges Trump to Release Medical Records
In a rally in Houston, Texas, Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, once again urged Donald Trump to release his medical records. She highlighted the contradiction of Texas right-wing leaders, led by Attorney General Ken Paxton, seeking access to private medical records of patients who seek out-of-state abortions, while Trump conceals his own.
“Please do see the irony,” Harris said. “While Donald Trump hides his medical records, I’ve shared mine, yet they want to get their hands on your medical records.”
Joshua R. Simmons, Harris’ reporting physician, declared her fully capable both physically and mentally to execute presidential duties. In contrast, over 200 doctors and health care providers signed an open letter, following the release of Harris’ medical report, urging Trump to do the same.
Coordinated by Doctors for Harris, the letter stressed the need for transparency from Trump, citing his advanced age. The letter reads, “The American people deserve to have confidence in their elected officials’ ability to do their jobs. Trump should provide greater transparency on his physical health and mental acuity.”
Trump’s reluctance to release his medical records has attracted attention, especially after Joe Biden’s exit from the presidential race. Trump, 78, is now competing against Harris, 59.
While presidential candidates traditionally share medical records, there’s no legal requirement to do so. According to political science professor Jeff Gulati, Trump’s refusal helps rally his base. “He’s successfully resisted sharing his medical records in two consecutive elections, so there’s little incentive for him to release them now,” Gulati said.
Trump’s latest medical report was a Truth Social post in November 2023, providing scant information. Trump promised in August to “gladly” share his records, but he hasn’t yet done so. When questioned by reporters in October, he insisted the public already knew enough about his health.
If elected, Trump would be the oldest U.S. President by the end of his term. Doctors’ concerns in their open letter center on his age and cognitive faculties. These very concerns were previously faced by Biden.
Harris’ campaign has to tread cautiously to avoid being seen as ageist when discussing Trump’s medical records. Gulati remarked, “It’s a sensitive issue for Democrats. Age and health are obviously related, but Harris can’t really go there.”
The Trump campaign released a press statement on the day Harris made her medical records public. They insisted that Trump, having survived an assassination attempt, was in perfect health to serve as Commander in Chief, as concluded by his medical team and Dr. Ronny Jackson.
Trump’s medical team has been reticent about the extent of his injuries sustained from the assassination attempt. Republican representative and physician Ronny Jackson did confirm in a signed letter that Trump’s ear wound was a gunshot and was healing properly.
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