“I was always a person that loved playing sports,” Trump said.
He had just signed an order to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test. As he turned to leave, he hit the podium with his hand. He didn’t stop or look at it. He just walked away.
It was a fast swing. The cameras caught it. Trump stayed silent and kept moving.
This kind of thing has happened before. He once walked carefully down a short ramp. Another time he used both hands to drink water. His team said everything was fine. But small things like this always get attention.
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The event took place in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Trump stood beside athletes and top officials. He smiled for the cameras and gave short remarks. Then he signed the order and stepped away.
“This is a wonderful tradition and we are bringing it back,” he said.
The Presidential Fitness Test began in 1966. Schools used it to test students. Kids ran, did sit‑ups, pull‑ups, push‑ups, and a sit‑and‑reach test. It stopped in 2013 when Obama replaced it with the Youth Fitness Program. That program focused on health, not competition. From 2013 until 2025 there was no official national fitness test in schools.
Standing beside him were a few familiar faces. Bryson DeChambeau, a professional golfer, stood next to him and now leads the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition. Triple H from WWE was also there, along with Vice President JD Vance, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and former football star Lawrence Taylor.
Trump spoke about how the council will support school fitness. He also said it will deal with college sports. He talked about athletes who change schools and asked if they should be called employees.
Trump often links himself to sports. He played baseball in school. He plays golf almost every weekend. This year, he has traveled for big games like the Super Bowl and the UFC. He wants to be seen as a sports fan and a sports leader.
The United States will host the Ryder Cup in 2025. The FIFA World Cup in 2026. The Olympics in 2028. Trump wants to be part of that spotlight.
He said sports bring people together. He also said strong schools need strong athletes. “When you are really focused on sports, you’ve thought about nothing else,” he told the room.
He clearly wants to lead that message. He wants to be seen next to big games, big names, and big wins.
But first, he might want to keep fit too. Especially if podiums keep getting in his way.
Featured image via Screengrab
