Trump secretary left stuttering over MRI query on Fox News: 'Not a routine procedure'

Donald Trump's press secretary appeared to struggle when she was quizzed on the 79-year-old's health after a recent physical, which saw him undergo cognitive testing and an MRI scan. Live on Fox News, Karoline Leavitt was left repeating herself when she was asked by one reporter: "Why did President Trump get an MRI during his recent visit to Walter Reed [National Military Medical Centre]?"

Leavitt responded: "Look, as President Trump said, he would enquire with the physicians, I'll check back on that. But as the physical itself stated and as you all know because you were all witness to it every single day, the president is in optimal physical health. This was a follow-up appointment and we provided a detailed read-out of that physical. I'm happy to give it to you again and I can enquire further."

But the reporter wasn't done, pressing: "An MRI is a very specific procedure, it's done on a part of the body looking for something specific, so it's not generally part of any routine check-up.

"In addition, President Trump has said that he wants to be transparent, he told us to ask the doctors which we have and have not heard back. Why don't we have more information on this?"

Leavitt responded: "As I said, I'll check back for you."

MRI scans are typically used to investigate neurological issues including tumours, strokes or multiple sclerosis in the brain and spine. They can also evaluate joint injuries and check for cancer.

Former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman also noticed something odd about his hospital visit, telling The Hill: "Most any procedure scope, I had the capabilities there at the White House. The only thing I couldn't, that I'd have to go to Walter Reed for, is advanced imaging."

He added that there was approximately a four-hour window Trump was at the hospital, but the scans and routine tests shouldn't have taken more than 15 minutes.

He said: "It's about an eight-minute helicopter ride from the South Lawn to Walter Reed. So we know that he at least had four hours available to undergo medical care. There's a disconnect there."