September 20, 2024

Walter Reed Responds to Donald Trump Health Speculation

Walter Reed #WalterReed

Walter Reed Hospital in D.C. has said it cannot confirm or deny reports that Donald Trump visited the facility on Sunday amid speculation surrounding the former president.

Questions have been raised about why Trump’s plane landed at Dulles Airport in Virginia, an airport frequently used by those heading to Washington, in an unannounced visit on Sunday.

One of the many rumors that have been spread online is that Trump is visiting D.C. for just the second time since he left office last January to attend Walter Reed hospital for health reasons.

In a statement to Newsweek, the hospital said it could not comment on the reports.

“Out of respect for all of our patients’ privacy, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s policy is that we do not provide patient information.”

(File photo) Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One upon arrival at Austin Straubel International Airport in Green Bay, Wisconsin, June 25, 2020. There has been speculation about why the former president made an unannounced visit to Washington D.C. on Sunday. SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

The nature of the surprise visit from Trump has led to further speculation that the former president is in the capital because he is due to be indicted by the Department of Justice.

Trump is currently under a federal investigation into claims he mishandled classified documents seized by the FBI from his Mar-a-Lago resort. He also faces a number of other charges in relation to the January 6 attack and his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.

A number of social media users speculated that Trump’s visit to D.C. was taken at short notice because he appears to be wearing golf attire in footage of him arriving at Dulles Airport, which was posted online by freelance reporter Andrew Leyden.

There is also speculation that Trump may just be in D.C. to play golf at his nearby resort, despite arriving late on Sunday and the forecast for Monday in D.C. predicting strong winds and rain.

On Monday, Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is also talking at an event in D.C. hosted by the America First Policy Institute and the Abraham Accords Peace Institute.

Trump has made no comment on why he is visiting the area on his frequently used Truth Social account, or via any other statement.

As noted by Allison Gill, who tweets using the account for the Mueller, She Wrote podcast, Trump would “not fly out of state” to go to Walter Reed for treatment.

“If he were going to the hospital, he would go to the nearest hospital and receive treatment there. The government reimburses the hospital when government folk need emergency treatment.

“Unless it’s not an emergency and he demanded to go there? That seems weird but anything is possible with that dude,” Gill added.

Lindy Li, a political commentator and Democratic National Committee member, tweeted: “Trump is in DC 57 days before the election. Which is right around the DOJ’s alleged 60-day threshold for ‘election year sensitivities.’ So, if the theories of indictment hold true, this would be perfect timing.”

Li added: “He was well enough to deplane by himself so if it’s a medical emergency it can’t be that dire. Which paves the way for other explanations.”

In a tweet responding to the rumors, Olivia Troye, who served as a homeland security and counterterrorism advisor to former vice president Mike Pence, said: “Good morning to all who are speculating & all who are actively trying not to speculate about why Trump is in DC.”

Bradley Moss, a national security lawyer, downplayed the rumors surrounding Trump’s visit: “No, Trump is not in DC because of a sealed indictment. Don’t be ridiculous,” Moss tweeted.

Trump has been contacted for comment.

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