President Donald Trump sounded off on social media as he refuted recent reports about him suffering a series mini-strokes last year.
On Tuesday morning, the president took to Twitter to dismiss the reports about his visit to Walter Reed Medical Center last year.
He tweeted, “It never ends! Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidate – FAKE NEWS. Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!”
It never ends! Now they are trying to say that your favorite President, me, went to Walter Reed Medical Center, having suffered a series of mini-strokes. Never happened to THIS candidate – FAKE NEWS. Perhaps they are referring to another candidate from another Party!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2020
Trump’s latest remarks come amid the release of New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt’s new book. According to CNN, one chapter of the book offers details about Trump’s unannounced visit to Walter Reed Medical Center in November of 2019.
In most cases, the Walter Reed’s medical staff would receive an advance notice of the president’s impending arrival but that was not the case for the visit, in question.
According to Schmidt, Vice President Mike Pence was reportedly placed on standby to temporarily assume the position of the presidency.
He also revealed, “In the hours leading up to Trump’s trip to the hospital, word went out in the West Wing for the vice president to be on standby to take over the powers of the presidency temporarily if Trump had to undergo a procedure that would have required him to be anesthetized.”
At the time, the White House claimed Trump’s visit was for the purpose of completing “quick exam and labs.”
Ultimately, Pence was not required to assume the powers of the presidency but the hospital visit has raised new questions about Trump’s health. Shortly after that hospital visit, Trump claimed he had begun the first phase of his annual physical as he insisted everything was “very good.”
Visited a great family of a young man under major surgery at the amazing Walter Reed Medical Center. Those are truly some of the best doctors anywhere in the world. Also began phase one of my yearly physical. Everything very good (great!). Will complete next year.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2019
Schmidt’s book, “Donald Trump v. The United States: Inside the Struggle To Stop A President,” was released on Tuesday.