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Trump Visits Walter Reed for Annual Physical and Dental Exam; Who Voters Trust More on Crime; Award-Winning Comedy "Hacks" Ends on Thursday. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired May 26, 2026 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Trump seeing the doctor right now at Walter Reed for his annual physical this morning. The president turns 80-years-old next month. That's him leaving the White House this morning to head over there.

And questions about the president's physical and mental acuity have followed him for years. And in recent months, especially the White House and the president have been fielding new questions as there have been visible injuries that have raised concerns, bruises seen on the president's hands, swelling at his ankles, ailments that the White House has explained as both common and benign.

Let's get to CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, who's got much more on what could come today. It's good to see you, Sanjay. As of now, how would you say of what is known about the president's health?

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I mean, that is a important distinction. We can only go by what is known. April of last year was when we had the last sort of reported results.

He had two visits beyond that over the last 13 months, which we can talk about. But in April of last year, 79 years old, you can see his weight, his blood pressure a little bit elevated there. That's that damage to the skin that you just talked about.

And then talking about his cognitive assessment exam, he said he got a cardiovascular risk, statins and cholesterol medications, and also high doses of aspirin as well, which he's talked about. But we don't know a lot more beyond that, Kate. And that's always sort of been the issue.

You typically get a paragraph or so after some of these visits. We know, again, that he visited the hospital in July and October. Those weren't as announced.

The one on April was announced, the one today being announced. So some surprise visits sort of sprinkled in there as well, Kate.

BOLDUAN: What about the -- what are the bruising on the president's hands? I mean, he says it's because he had -- initially it was because he was shaking a lot of hands. And then it was, he was taking too much aspirin and was shaking hands.

I mean, what do you make of it?

GUPTA: Yes. Yes. It's interesting because, I mean, it's obviously very noticeable. You can take -- you can have your blood become quite thin or not clot as well as a result of aspirin. What is interesting is that people typically take aspirin if they're trying to prevent some sort of cardiac or heart problem. Once you get to a certain age, people say, look, the risk reward relationship changes because it can cause bleeding.

It can cause bleeding like you see in the skin, but also internal bleeding as well. The other thing is that if you're going to take an aspirin, it's typically a baby aspirin, 81 milligrams. He's talked about the fact that he takes a dose that's four times that, a regular adult dose aspirin.

So, and he says he thinks that's better, even though that is not the recommendation. But to your question, it could track. I mean, you get, you get the thinning of the blood or, or sort of lack of clotting, lots of handshaking could lead to some of that bruising you see.

BOLDUAN: And then what, and then the White House had said that the president, the way, what was it called? It's called chronic venous insufficiency over the summer after he was seen with the swelling that were showing around his, around his ankles. What do you make of that?

GUPTA: So this is a relatively common condition, you know, about one in 20 people or so get this more common after the age of 50. Basically the blood sort of pools in the veins down in the feet and the lower legs. People who aren't as active, people who sit a lot, they tend to suffer from this more commonly.

But this is something that does happen. Not a huge concern if that's the only thing. I think that they, when you see something like this, you've got to sort of ask yourself, why is the blood not circulating as well?

Is it a problem with the veins, as they suggest, chronic venous insufficiency? Is it because the heart's not pumping blood as well? I think that's part of what the testing today is for as well.

BOLDUAN: And then kind of, I don't know, maybe related, maybe not, in October, advanced imaging, a CT scan was performed on the president's heart. What is known about what that scan was for?

[09:35:00]

GUPTA: Yes, this was the most difficult one to sort of decipher because, again, it was a bit of a surprise visit. It was in October. It was advanced imaging.

That's all we heard, which, you know, in medicine can mean so many different things. And then we were told it was a scan, but we weren't told what the scan -- what body part was being scanned. We were told it was either an MRI or a CT scan.

What we subsequently learned about two months later, OK, was that it was a CT scan of his heart, specifically looking for blockages, I think looking for something known as calcium buildups in the blood vessels as well. And as we are often told after these exams, it was sort of a simple sort of everything looks fine sort of conclusion. So we didn't have any more detailed findings from that.

But I think what you're sort of alluding to, I think, is exactly right. What is going on with his heart? Is there anything else to be mindful of considering the pooling of blood in his lower legs?

Hopefully not. And like I said, there's a perfectly reasonable explanation as to why, you know, your ankles would get swollen. But again, that's why you do these checkups and these sorts of tests.

BOLDUAN: Yes. It's good to see a Sanjay presence physical underway, and we will get well, they're not legally required to tell us we will get what we get. And then ask Sanjay to decipher one sentence and to give us a full diagnosis of it all.

Thanks, buddy.

GUPTA: It's been a while now.

BOLDUAN: Kind of Wilbur's to this one at this point. Thanks, buddy.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: He's smart enough. He'll figure it out.

BOLDUAN: Yes, I mean, it's Sanjay. He can do it.

SIDNER: He knows everything. All right, coming up from his role as Shooter McGavin in Happy Gilmore to his latest role in the award- winning comedy Hacks -- which we love. Actor Christopher McDonnell is live in studio to talk all about it. That's ahead.

And the New York Knicks, may we remind you, they're back in the NBA finals for the first time since Prince's 1999 when we were going to party forever.

[09:40:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, this morning in Los Angeles, a lot of focus on reality TV performer Spencer Pratt, who was running for mayor there. He has big, flashy ads that are getting some attention.

So what is the state of the race and what might be driving it? With us now Chief Data Analyst Harry Enten. So, you know, what are the prediction markets saying about that race and what's changed?

HARRY ENTEN, CNN CHIEF DATA ANALYST: Yes, you know, I have to admit that in my mind, you know, a friend of mine who is a fan of Pratt, you know, said, oh, you know, he seems to rise. I was I was really putting it down. But if you look at the prediction market, you look at the Kalshi prediction markets, his chances are up significantly, up significantly over the last few months.

You know, you go back a few months ago, February choice. He had just a 7 percent chance. What is that? That's five plus two. Now it's up like a rocket. Look, chances are he still won't be the next mayor of Los Angeles, but there's a pretty decent chance of it's now up over a quarter, 27 percent chance.

So those who dismiss Pratt's chances. Well, you got nothing coming because he's got a realistic shot of winning this thing.

BERMAN: So he is a Republican running there as a Republican, talking a lot about crime. Why might that be a potent issue for a Republican?

ENTEN: Yes, there has not been a Republican mayor in Los Angeles in the last, what, like, twenty five years. The last one to win was all the way back in 1997. And you can see it here.

Why is it such a potent issue? Because who voters trust more in crime? You know, oftentimes we put up these graphics, you know, Democrats are leading or Trump was leading and then Democrats came ahead.

But look at this. Who voters trust more in crime? In October of 2024, Trump was trusted more in crime than Kamala Harris by four points.

Look at the Republican lead right now, though, on the average of polling. Look at this. Republicans nationally are more trusted on crime than Democrats by a 13 point margin.

It's one of the few issues in which the Republican advantage, Johnny B, has actually expanded out from what Trump was looking at a little bit under two years ago.

BERMAN: And it's not just among Republicans, right? I mean, there are Democrats who sort of there's been a shift to.

ENTEN: Yes, OK. You know, you look at this line, you say, OK, this is national. And, you know, it's among the overall electorate.

But take a look here. OK, on crime, you want Dems to move to the center or left or not move. Look at this overall.

Look at this. 62 percent of voters nationwide say the Democrats should move to the center on crime. But even among Democrats, look at this.

It's 49 percent to 47 percent. So you see this real movement within the Democratic Party. And this is the number one issue, the issue more than any other in which more Democrats say that, in fact, that the party should move to the center. And it's the same what you see for overall.

BERMAN: And there's an interesting divide within the Republican Party, excuse me, within the Democratic Party here.

ENTEN: Yes, OK. So, you know, one of the great fault lines right now we see within the Democratic Party is between white college graduates and nonwhites with no college degree. And look at this. Democrats, this is among Democrats, want them to be more centrist on crime.

Look at this nonwhite, no college. Fifty nine percent, the clear majority versus the white college graduates, just forty two percent, in fact, say they want Democrats to be more centrist on crime. So this is one of these great dividing lines, right, in which those centrist voters of color are feeling one way, at least those without a college degree, while those white college graduates, oftentimes, who, of course, a lot of folks would make the argument, hey, they're not the ones who are necessarily feeling the impact of higher crime rates where they exist, where there's this real divide within the party. It's going to be very interesting to see out in Los Angeles, especially if there's a runoff, whether or not Pratt tries to play Democrats up against each other.

BERMAN: Harry Enten, thank you very much for this.

ENTEN: Thank you my friend.

BERMAN: We've got a lot of news this morning. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BERMAN: All right, the award winning comedy Hacks is coming to an end this week. One of the plot lines this season followed star Debra Vance, played by Jean Smart, as she geared up for a show at Madison Square Garden.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD, HACKS CO-STAR: Nice shot. Come on, get up there. That's the way.

Hey, good looking. You ready to rock the garden?

JEAN SMART, ACTOR, HACKS STAR: Almost. I'm just having trouble sleeping. I don't want to take Ambien this week because I need to stay sharp.

MCDONALD: Sure.

[09:50:00]

SMART: I just really need my rest. And there's really only one other thing that helps me sleep deeply.

MCDONALD: Debra Vance, is this a booty call?

SMART: Oh, don't be tacky. Just get in your private jet and get over here.

MCDONALD: Wheels up.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BERMAN: With us now, one half of that scene, actor Christopher McDonald plays wealthy casino CEO Marty on the show. It's great to see you in person.

MCDONALD: Thank you, John. Good to be here.

BERMAN: I love the show. I love you in the show. And it's kind of a little different for you. I mean, first of all, you played so many roles over the years. But known for villains or bad guys or jerks.

This one, not a jerk at all. You're kind of nice.

MCDONALD: I chose that and they embraced it with me because the guy has so much loss this season, especially. But the big loss, of course, is we're ending. And that breaks my heart because I love the show so much.

I've known Jean for years and Hannah Einbinder became the big shout out for the season last year. It was great. This season's coming to an end and I'm a little bit heartbroken.

But as a guy who's played a lot of bad guys and enjoyed that, you know, in Thelma and Louise and things like that, you know, drive over the cliff rather than go back to that guy. I just went with my heart and it played really well because we're so close. We've worked together for 30 years, so she's great.

BERMAN: There's a sweetness to the show, to be sure. And there's also, you know, an age quality, too, where there's a lot of humor coming from performers. You're young, of course.

You know, you're in your 30s here, but Jean Smart also in her 30s. But it's a mature humor as well. I mean, what do you think works about it?

MCDONALD: The way they cover all the bases, I swear to God, it's some of the greatest writing I've been happy enough to work with. And we call them JPL, Jen, Paul, and Lucia, who are our writers and are, you know, show creators. They are phenomenal.

We have a great group of people who do a lot of writing in the background and it's so contemporary and funny. And just out there, people just stop me on the street all the time. Oh, my God, I love you in Hacks, which is walking around New York City. It's pretty cool.

BERMAN: Do they stop you on the street and say, I love you in Hacks more than, say, another role? Because I have a feeling you probably can't go anywhere without having someone yell at you about Happy Gilmore, Shooter McGavin.

MCDONALD: That is true. And I embrace it and I give them the old shootout and I keep going mostly. But for the most part, you know, people are really fun and it's fun to have fans like that.

And I chose to do the high road and be nice to them because a lot of people go, can't bother me now, I'm eating, that kind of thing. Don't want to do that. So I embrace it and it's kind of fun.

BERMAN: Why do you think this role, which again, we're showing some of it on the screen, it's the 30th anniversary, I think, of the original. MCDONALD: It is. Right, it is. Yes.

BERMAN: Why has that stuck as much or more than other roles?

MCDONALD: I wish I knew. I just know they love to hate the shooter. And, you know, it's just, you know, that pompous guy you see on the golf course.

They are just so entitled. And then to get, you know, his knees cut out by this guy who hits the ball a country mile. It just worked really, really well.

BERMAN: Did I read it correctly? I think I read an article that said Adam Sandler has you in his phone as shooter. Not Chris McDonnell.

MCDONALD: He doesn't know my name. Shooter's here. So I had to beg him to actually make this sequel because it was like years in the making and the fans are dying for it. But he did it.

BERMAN: So we said we do a Thanksgiving special here at CNN and we aired some of it this last November. And you were the grand marshal of the Thanksgiving parade in Detroit. And I just remember watching Sara when I were co-anchor.

I remember watching you driving on the car there and just people so happy. They connect with so many of your roles over the years. Was one harder than another to play? Is there one that took more out of you?

MCDONALD: No, it's a very good question. I didn't think about that because I embrace it all.

I know it's hard to play some of these characters that are really kind of nasty and horrible and get their comeuppance. But at the same time, when you see fans who just, you know, love a character that I'll never probably get rid of and thank God I have it. Shooter, it just resonates.

I mean, that parade was really fun. It was really cold. But just to wave at people up in buildings like in New York and waving down at you, it's kind of great.

And so I just think on stage I've had some tough ones because, you know, it's a whole different medium. And I love the theater. But mostly in films, you can, you know, you can cut and just say, let's try it this way.

So I get to go around and put my two cents in, which is mostly embraced.

BERMAN: You know, people have the phrase character actor, the label character actor. Do you like that? Or what do you think it even means?

MCDONALD: I think it's an honor, actually, because I can I have a nice range and I, you know, not to brag or anything, but don't talk about that.

BERMAN: Extensive range.

MCDONALD: Extensive, huge, massive. But all the genres you do, I challenge myself to go out and do these things because it's, first of all, something I haven't done before.

[09:55:00]

And so that's what I'm embracing right now, especially going to these all big things. Hi, ladies.

SIDNER: We wanted to join the party. You're so funny, man.

MCDONALD: Thank you. Thank you.

SIDNER: See!

BERMAN: What's next?

MCDONALD: What's next? I don't want to leave here. This is good for me right here. Yes.

SIDNER: You could be part of the team.

MCDONALD: Wait, do you need a villain?

BERMAN: We do need a villain.

MCDONALD: You need a bad guy.

SIDNER: I'm sorry, we already have one.

BERMAN: I mean, everyone knows this.

SIDNER: We have one, who you know.

MCDONALD: There he is.

BERMAN: No, but what is next? What is next?

MCDONALD: I have a thing coming up that I'm actually co-writing, which is kind of cool. So I'm going on that area. I always have a little, you know, always wanted to be a little director in my ear. So I'm trying that.

I've got good stuff coming out. It's on, you know, there's this great story, 250 years coming up. And it's stories. It's great. It's called "The Gray House," true story about the Civil War and how the women from the South were really working for the North.

And it was it's Morgan Freeman and he produced it with Kevin Costner. That's on one of those.

SIDNER: It's OK.

BOLDUAN: Honestly, you're like you are like all of us. I don't know which one. MCDONALD: There's so many, too many.

BERMAN: And you have massive range. Christopher McDonald, great to see you here in person. It's a pleasure.

You can stream the series finale of Hacks Thursday night on HBO Max. Of course, HBO owned by the same parent company as on CNN. So it's sort of like, you know, our team mate here.

BOLDUAN: All in the family. All of the same thing.

SIDNER: You could do this show without me.

BOLDUAN: Anytime. How do you like waking up at zero o'clock?

MCDONALD: How about the people who come in at 2 a.m.? Yes, I mean --

BOLDUAN: Boys, boys, boys, fellas, fellas.

MCDONALD: How does that feel (INAUDIBLE).

(CROSSTALK)

BOLDUAN: We don't we eat circadian rhythms.

BERMAN: Thank you all for joining us. This has been CNN NEWS CENTRAL. "THE SITUATION ROOM" is up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)