Vice President Kamala Harris released her recent medical assessment on Saturday, attempting to set herself up as the healthier candidate in comparison to former President Donald Trump according to ABC News.
Harris's move is seen as a strategic effort to shift the narrative regarding advanced age and health issues as political campaign topics. Harris's health dossier was made public through a statement from her physician, Dr. Joshua Simmons, who affirmed her excellent health.
Her medical history is relatively straightforward, including seasonal allergy treatments and hives managed with over-the-counter drugs.
The only notable point in her April 2024 physical exam was a low Vitamin D level, while all other aspects were deemed "unremarkable."
The report draws attention to Harris's family background of colon cancer but revealed no significant personal health concerns.
In April 2022, she tested positive for COVID-19 and was treated with Paxlovid, an antiviral medication. This openness in Harris's health records is seen in contrast to Trump's approach.
Harris leveraged her health disclosure to critique Trump's refusal to release his own medical records or participate in traditional debate and interview formats, such as 60 Minutes. She remarked, "So, today I release my medical records as has, I believe, every candidate for president of the United States, except Donald Trump in this election cycle."
The last thorough report on Trump dates back nearly seven years, highlighting issues such as high cholesterol and weight gain. His campaign has often pointed to letters from Ronny Jackson, a former White House doctor, and Trump's private doctor, Bruce Aronwald, which assured Trump's health was "excellent" without furnishing detailed information.
The Trump campaign has responded by questioning Harris's endurance for the rigors of a campaign.
They emphasized the updates from Trump's doctors concluding his sound health for the position of Commander in Chief. A statement from Trump campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung argued, "President Trump has voluntarily released updates from his personal physician, as well as detailed reports from Dr. Ronny Jackson."
The political conversation around age continues to swirl, with Harris's release accentuating these discussions.
President Biden has also been transparent with his health, sharing memos post-exams, unlike Trump. This adds a layer to the ongoing political discourse as Harris's team intensifies their focus on Trump's age and health.
In tandem with Harris's health report, her campaign released an advertisement critiquing Trump’s running mate, JD Vance, labeling him a risky option. The ad included clips of Trump allegedly slurring his words, furthering arguments about his suitability for office.
Bill Clinton also weighed in on the age debate by humorously contrasting his age with Trump's, stating, "Two days ago I turned 78… and the only personal vanity I want to assert is I'm still younger than Donald Trump."
The release of this comprehensive account now serves as a spotlight on readiness for office and fitness to lead, ushering the health narrative into the forefront of political discourse.
