The White House is pushing back hard after CNN published a report examining President Donald Trump's health and mortality — calling the journalist behind the story an "idiot" and blasting the outlet as "gutter trash."
Rapid Response 47, the Trump White House's official rapid response account, unloaded on CNN reporter Kevin Liptak after he published a piece Monday headlined "Trump's advanced age and threats to his life serve as reminders of his own mortality."
"You're an idiot," the account posted on X, directing the insult at Liptak. "The 'threats to his life serve as reminders' that Radical Left lunatics — incited by outlets like gutter trash CNN — keep trying to murder him."
The account also defended the president's work ethic, claiming Trump "works harder in one day than you have in your entire life."
Liptak's report noted that Trump has begun making tacit acknowledgments of his own mortality, musing during a White House event earlier this year, "I don't know how long I'll be around. I have a lot of people gunning for me."
The pushback comes as outside physicians say they have persistent questions about the nearly 80-year-old president's health.
The White House has attributed recurring bruises on Trump's hands to his daily aspirin use and frequent handshaking — an explanation one cardiologist called "not credible." A viral New Year's Eve video also showed Trump appearing to drag his right leg, renewing concerns. Meanwhile, Trump's swollen legs — attributed by the White House to chronic venous insufficiency — have prompted warnings from physicians that the condition could warrant evaluation for congestive heart failure.
Trump is set to undergo his third physical exam since taking office as the oldest president ever inaugurated. His physician is expected to release a summary of findings following the exam.