President Donald Trump disclosed Monday that White House doctors intervened after a sitting Republican congressman received what Trump described as a “terminal” diagnosis, arranging emergency surgery at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center that likely saved the lawmaker’s life.
Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson made the remarks at the White House, recounting the dramatic episode involving Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), a physician and Army veteran who has served five terms in Congress.
“He would be dead by June,” Trump told reporters.
Johnson said he alerted Trump to Dunn’s condition after the congressman was told his situation was “pretty grim.” Trump immediately proposed involving White House medical staff.
“I said, I have to call them,” Trump recounted. “And I called the two doctors. They’re both great. And they immediately went over to see the congressman, and he was on the operating table like two hours later.”
White House doctors arranged for Dunn to receive care at Walter Reed, where he underwent emergency surgery. Trump did not publicly disclose the specific diagnosis.
Johnson said the recovery was dramatic.
“The man has a new lease on life. He acts like he’s 30 years younger,” the speaker said.
Trump called the White House medical team “miracle workers,” praising their speed in responding once he made the call.
In January, Dunn announced he would not seek re-election after five terms, saying he intended to “pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren.”
“It has been my greatest honor to fight for lower taxes, our military and veterans, the unborn, healthcare innovation, and policies that empower Americans over bureaucracy and addressing threats from Communist China, Russia and others,” Dunn said in his retirement statement.
Dunn’s situation put a spotlight on the network of White House physicians and military medical staff available to federal officials. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland provides care for presidents, senior military officers, and members of Congress.
Trump made the disclosure during broader White House remarks Monday. He praised the White House doctors by name but did not specify Dunn’s illness.
