President Donald Trump on Monday publicly revealed that Representative Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, had received what Trump described as a terminal medical diagnosis earlier this year, saying Dunn “would be dead by June” without treatment.
Trump made the surprising remarks during a White House news conference intended for a briefing on the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, as the president discussed the GOP’s narrow House majority—prompting House Speaker Mike Johnson to say that the details on Dunn had not been public.
Newsweek left a message for Dunn’s office on Monday afternoon with a request for comment.
What Did Donald Trump Say About Neal Dunn at the Kennedy Center?
Trump initially referred to an unnamed lawmaker who had been “very ill” and “wasn’t going to make it,” before asking Johnson whether to disclose the congressman’s identity. The Louisiana Republican then identified Dunn, saying he had faced “real health challenges” and “a pretty grim diagnosis,” but continued coming to work and voting. When Trump pressed for specifics, Johnson said, “I think it was a terminal diagnosis,” before Trump added, “He would be dead by June.”
How Did Mike Johnson React?
Johnson quickly responded, “That wasn’t public,” adding that the outlook had been “grim.” Trump then said the issue involved “a heart problem,” and Johnson recounted how he had told Trump about Dunn’s condition. Johnson said Trump later called Dunn “to encourage him and thank him,” and suggested getting White House doctors involved.
According to Johnson, White House and military physicians evaluated Dunn within hours and took him to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for emergency surgery. “The man has a new lease on life,” Johnson said. “He acts like he’s 30 years younger. … We thought we’d seen a ghost.” Johnson said he had spoken with Dunn over the weekend and described him as “encouraged and thankful.”
Trump later returned to the episode, saying Dunn had personally told him he was “terminal” with a “really bad heart” and that doctors had said “there’s nothing they can do.” Trump said he was troubled by the diagnosis both personally and politically. “It was bad because I liked him,” Trump said. “Number two, it was bad because I needed his vote.”
Trump said he contacted White House doctors, calling them “miracle workers,” and said Dunn was “on the operating table like two hours later.” He said doctors later told him they believed Dunn would recover. Trump closed by saying he intervened “for him first and for the vote second — but it was a close second, actually.”
What Is Neal Dunn’s Diagnosis?
Dunn has not publicly detailed his medical condition, but Trump said Dunn had been given what he described as a terminal diagnosis involving a serious heart problem. During public remarks, Trump said doctors had initially told Dunn there was “nothing they can do” and that without treatment he “would be dead by June.” Dunn has not confirmed those specifics, and his office has previously declined to discuss details of his health.
Is Neal Dunn Resigning?
There has been no announcement that Dunn plans to resign from Congress. Dunn has previously said he intends to serve out his term, and Johnson noted that despite his health challenges, Dunn continued coming to work and voting. Trump also said Dunn told him he planned to keep voting as long as he was able, underscoring the importance of every vote in the closely divided House. According to previous reporting from Newsweek, Neal Dunn will not seek reelection in the House.
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