# Trump's unexplained visit to Walter Reed medical center - Pence put on standby **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [September 1, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543 "2020-09-01T18:58:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DeadTreasSecretaries](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deadtreassecretaries/32/4817_2.png) [@DeadTreasSecretaries](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadTreasSecretaries)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/1 "2020-09-01T18:58:37Z")
> **[Trump denies 'series of mini-strokes' after book reports mystery hospital visit](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/sep/01/pence-standby-take-presidential-powers-trump-hospital-visit)** > > Mike Pence was placed on ‘standby’ to take power if the president had needed to be anesthetized in hospital last year, Times reporter writes According NYT reporter Michael Schmidt’s book, when Trump was hospitalized in Walter Reed last November, Pence was was in standby to assume role of Commander-in-Chief in case Trump had to be anesthetized. Trump 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.” The article on what Sean Conley (Trump’s doctor) said at the time, and Schmidt’s reporting in the book: > [@](#): > > Conley said then the “interim checkup” was kept secret because of “scheduling uncertainties”. > > “Despite some speculation,” he added, “the president has not had any chest pain, nor was he evaluated or treated for any urgent or acute issues. Specifically, he did not undergo any specialised cardiac or neurologic evaluations.” > > The news that the visit could have led to [a spell in power for Pence](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/07/jared-cohen-accidental-presidents-trump-jigsaw-google) is contained in [Donald Trump v the United States](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/aug/30/donald-trump-v-the-united-states-review-michael-schmidt), by the Pulitzer-winning New York Times reporter Michael Schmidt. > > “In the hours leading up to Trump’s trip to the hospital,” Schmidt writes, “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. > > “Pence never assumed the powers of the presidency, and the reason for Trump’s trip to the doctor remains a mystery.” ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/2 "2020-09-01T20:49:58Z")
I sure am glad he clarified who our favorite president was (“me”). Never would have crossed my mind… ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/3 "2020-09-01T22:03:38Z")
It was certainly something. If not a stroke, what was it? We deserve answers. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/4 "2020-09-01T22:11:00Z")
> **[Trump raises eyebrows with tweet declaring he did not have 'a series of...](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-raises-eyebrows-tweet-declaring-he-did-not-have-series-n1239006)** > > The denials came after a new book raised more questions about Trump's mystery trip to Walter Reed medical center last year. > “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,” [Trump tweeted.](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1300811758051954695) > > The tweet was followed hours later by a statement from White House physician Sean Conley, who said he was speaking out at Trump’s request. “I can confirm that President Trump has not experienced nor been evaluated for a cerebrovascular accident (stroke), transient ischemic attack (mini stroke), or any acute cardiovascular emergencies, as have been incorrectly reported in the media,” Conley said. > > No major media outlet appears to have reported in recent days that Trump had a series of mini-strokes. When they resort to preemptive strikes, you know there has to be something to it. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/5 "2020-09-01T22:11:28Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > It was certainly something. If not a stroke, what was it? We deserve answers. As he told us last year, [the doctors all just wanted an excuse to look at his gorgeous chest.](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/donald-trump-denies-heart-problems-as-he-praises-his-gorgeous-chest-florida-rally-a4297606.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/6 "2020-09-01T22:29:35Z")
Usually, I wouldn’t be too doubtful of Trump blowing his own secrets but this one seems a little too straightforward and pat. I’d probably guess that he added the mini-stroke just to create a distraction. My guess would be that the VP is always on-call to take over on the occasion of any minor Presidential health event and the whole thing was a non-event caused by standing up too fast or something else that doesn’t mean anything. I’d suggest ignoring it and keeping your eye on the ball, to see what he’s doing and saying that actually matters. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/7 "2020-09-01T22:55:10Z")
That statement from the White House physician is really specific in what Trump _didn’t_ have. So what wasn’t excluded in that statement? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/8 "2020-09-01T23:11:09Z")
Since he denies it, and it wasn’t in the story, I’m sure he had a series of mini-strokes. Although that could just be a description of him masturbating. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/9 "2020-09-01T23:19:19Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > …My guess would be that the VP is always on-call to take over on the occasion of any minor Presidential health event and the whole thing was a non-event caused by standing up too fast or something else that doesn’t mean anything. > … There were many anomalous features of Trump’s November 2019 trip to the hospital. My bolding in this quote from a longer article: > [@](#): > > Over the past week, I have spoken to doctors who’ve previously worked at the White House and those who are currently in touch with the White House. **They all say that what happened last weekend is unusual:** an unscheduled hospital visit for what was characterized as very routine testing – **testing that could have been done at the White House**. > > Given that the **White House had previously given plenty of advance notice about the President’s past physical exams** , last weekend’s visit to Walter Reed reportedly took everyone by surprise, including much of the staff at the hospital itself. **Whenever the President is planning a visit to Walter Reed, an institution-wide notice goes out** , making staff aware of certain road and corridor closings. According to a person familiar with the matter, that didn’t happen last weekend. > > Also striking: t **he fact that the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Conley, rode with Trump in the presidential motorcade.** Typically, the doctor rides separately from the President for security reasons. A former White House doctor told me **it had never happened during their time there.** … [https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/24/health/trump-hospital-gupta-analysis/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/11/24/health/trump-hospital-gupta-analysis/index.html) It was not a non-event. Too many people have noted the odd features of the situation for it to be dismissed. Trump is not a private citizen. His health is a matter of legitimate concern for everyone being asked to vote for him. He needs to release his full medical records (and Biden the same, of course). ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/10 "2020-09-01T23:37:51Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Trump is not a private citizen. His health is a matter of legitimate concern for everyone being asked to vote for him. He needs to release his full medical records (and Biden the same, of course). Exactly. Personally, I would like to see a top limit to age in addition to the lower age limit. Say, 60? Realistically once you hit 60 you start having health issues that you wouldn’t have had at a younger age, ranging from cardiac issues to neurological issues, you heal slower and you fatigue more easily. Nothing wrong, you are just getting older. If you look at the younger presidents [Kennedy, Clinton, Obama] you can see the difference 8 years in the catbird seat causes. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/11 "2020-09-01T23:42:05Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > My guess would be that the VP is always on-call to take over on the occasion of any minor Presidential health event and the whole thing was a non-event caused by standing up too fast or something else that doesn’t mean anything. Have you even seen the President in motion? Standing up too fast? I’ve seen glaciers moving faster, If he had a hypotensive event I doubt that it was a result of tottering to his feet. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/12 "2020-09-01T23:46:18Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > It was not a non-event. Too many people have noted the odd features of the situation for it to be dismissed. > > Trump is not a private citizen. His health is a matter of legitimate concern for everyone being asked to vote for him. And, as such, exactly why a non-event would still lead to a strange occurrence like this. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/13 "2020-09-01T23:51:50Z")
There were suspicions of “small strokes” three years ago: > **[I'm Concerned. Has Trump Suffered a Small Stroke?](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/11/1723226/-I-m-Concerned-Has-Trump-Suffered-a-Small-Stroke)** > > Last week, many of us were laughing at the President, because it sounded like his dentures were coming loose. Trevor Noah on The Daily Show joked about #DentureDonald, but, tellingly, observed that it “seemed like someone had hit him with a... Last year: > **[Ex-Obama Doctor Says Donald Trump Might Be Having 'Small Strokes'](https://www.newsweek.com/ex-obama-doctor-worried-about-trumps-alleged-inability-find-words-suggests-hes-having-small-1472561)** > > "I think there is a neurological issue that is not being addressed," Dr. David Scheiner said. And back in February: > **[Donald Trump Sparks Rumors He's Suffering From ‘Small Strokes’](https://www.ibtimes.com/donald-trump-health-potus-suffering-small-strokes-2914162)** > > Donald Trump recently sparked speculations that he could be suffering from small strokes. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/14 "2020-09-02T01:44:08Z")
Hell, I think he’s had a BIG stroke. He doesn’t do things halfway, amirite? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/15 "2020-09-02T02:04:44Z")
It’s obviously a series of small strokes. Anything as oddly specific denied like that from Trump means he had exactly that. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/16 "2020-09-02T02:24:22Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Trump is not a private citizen. His health is a matter of legitimate concern for everyone being asked to vote for him. He needs to release his full medical records (and Biden the same, of course). The better Trump’s health, the more my concern. Destroying an established representative democracy, so you can become president for life, takes a lot of hard work. I hope he is unable to work that hard. As for Biden, I want a strong team, not a strongman. If his appointments are as good as I expect, his continual presence is not crucial. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/17 "2020-09-02T02:30:47Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hell, I think he’s had a BIG stroke. He doesn’t do things halfway, amirite? The biggest stroke, like noone’s ever seen. Afterwards, the doctor came up to him with tears in his eyes, and said “Sir, we’ve never seen such a tremendous stroke”. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/18 "2020-09-02T02:31:35Z")
It was real suspicious how the White House Physician came out with a statement that there were no strokes or cardiac issues or whatever it said. But it had to be something. Also, what prompted them to give him that cognitive test? And why was Pence told to get ready to take over? I know Biden’s too classy to use the line, but it would be funny if Elizabeth Warren referred to Donald as “Strokeahontas”. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/19 "2020-09-02T14:11:14Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Hell, I think he’s had a BIG stroke. He doesn’t do things halfway, amirite? As anyone who’s ever golfed with Trump will attest, he habitually lies about his strokes. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543/20 "2020-09-02T17:00:47Z")
> [@Lightnin](#): > > As anyone who’s ever golfed with Trump will attest, he habitually lies about his strokes. I am totally stealing that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-unexplained-visit-to-walter-reed-medical-center-pence-put-on-standby/919543.md?page=2)