Trump discloses Florida Republican’s ‘terminal’ diagnosis in meandering rant | Donald Trump

Donald Trump on Monday publicly revealed details of a Republican congressman’s “terminal” diagnosis that could leave him “dead by June,” prompting House speaker Mike Johnson to say: “This was not public.”

Trump addressed Neal Dunn’s health during a meandering news conference at the White House with leaders of the Kennedy Center and other senior Republicans; At this meeting, he also discussed topics such as the upcoming renovation of the performing arts center, his chief of staff Susie Wiles’ breast cancer diagnosis, and the war with Iran.

His comments about the 73-year-old Florida representative come as Republicans are trying to maintain their majority in the House of Representatives, which they control by just one seat and have three seats open.

The historically small majority has made health fears and any event that could force a lawmaker to resign or retire a pressing concern for Republican leaders ahead of November midterm elections in which Democrats will compete to take back the chamber.

“We had a man who was very sick. He didn’t seem to be able to cope,” Trump said as he sat next to Johnson.

At Trump’s urging, Johnson began talking about Dunn’s health and how the congressman decided to remain in the House despite being presented with a “brutal” perspective.

“If others get this diagnosis, they can go home and retire,” Johnson said.

“What was the diagnosis?” Trump asked.

“I think that’s a terminal diagnosis,” Johnson replied.

“He’d be dead by June,” Trump interjected, prompting the speaker to say: “Okay, that wasn’t public, but yeah, okay. It was terrible, that’s what I was going to say.”

The president later said Dunn had “heart trouble,” and after learning this, he had the congresswoman meet with White House doctors for “a lengthy surgery” and they “gave her more stents.”

Johnson said that after the surgery, the congressman “had a new life” and “had more energy than a man half his age.”

Dunn, who has represented a district in Florida since 2017, announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection.

“It is time to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren,” he wrote in his retirement statement.

Dunn’s spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.