Trump Revives Presidential Physical Fitness Award with Mandatory Test on Military Installations
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President Donald Trump is reviving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award as he reintroduces a competitive physical fitness test in America's schools
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Associated PressWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday revived the Presidential Physical Fitness Award as part of his push to return an annual physical fitness test to America’s schools.
Washington ExaminerPresident Donald Trump is signing a proclamation in the Oval Office on Tuesday. The proclamation appears to be related to reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test Award program at schools across the nation, according to Fox News.
PBS NewsHourThe award is tied to the Presidential Fitness Test, which was a public-school fixture for decades but was phased out under President Barack Obama in favor of a program that minimized competition and focused on long-term health. Trump signed an order last summer to reestablish the fitness test, which was created in the 1950s.
USA TodayThe signing ceremony brings renewed attention to the Presidential Fitness Test program, which Trump reinstated via an executive order last July. It had been in place since 1956 until former President Barack Obama decided in 2012 to replace it with a new fitness program, focused on long-term student health rather than physical performance.
Washington TimesPresident Trump on Tuesday restored the Presidential Fitness Test Award, a public school exercise program that was phased out during the Obama administration to spare children the public humiliation of failed attempts at pull-ups and other physical tasks.
Fox NewsTrump first signed an executive order to reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition and the Presidential Fitness Test last year, with the memorandum on Tuesday paving the way for the administration to restore the test and awards at all American schools, Fox News Digital learned.
New York PostSurrounded by school children, professional athletes and cabinet secretaries, Trump announced the new Presidential Fitness Test Award, which he called “a certificate in recognition of achievement of the gold standard of physical fitness.”
NBC News00:28 Trump signs Presidential Fitness Test proclamation 00:0000:00 UP NEXT
The HillHe’s touted the importance of physical fitness, but President Trump quipped Tuesday that his personal daily workout routine typically runs about 60 seconds. “I work out so much,” Trump, flanked by professional athletes, administration officials and children in the Oval Office, said with a grin on Tuesday. “Like about one minute a day, max, if…
BreitbartPresident Donald Trump signs a presidential proclamation at the White House on Tuesday, May 5.
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The test is being made mandatory for students at 161 schools located on U.S. military installations, Hegseth said in the Oval Office. He encouraged other schools across the country to follow.
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ABC NewsThe test is being made mandatory for students at 161 schools located on U.S. military installations, Hegseth said in the Oval Office. He encouraged other schools across the country to follow.
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Cabinet secretaries including Dept. of War Secretary Pete Hegseth, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner, and Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon will also be in attendance.
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New York PostWar Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., Housing Secretary Scott Turner, and Education Secretary Linda McMahon were also there.
Washington ExaminerHealth and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the chief leader of the MAHA movement, was among the administration officials who joined Trump on Tuesday. Also in attendance were Education Secretary Linda McMahon, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner.
7 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 Washington Examiner President Donald Trump veered off script during a White House proclamation on youth sports and a presidential fitness event at the White House, addressing the war in Iran.
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02 USA Today Kennedy touted the program as a way to encourage young Americans to get healthier, referencing the estimated 20% child obesity rate nationwide, and called the award a "friendly" competition among children.
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03 NBC News 00:30 Iran, U.S. ceasefire in jeopardy after new attacks 01:19 Secret Service shoots armed man near White House
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04 Washington Times Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr said that 20% of kids and 77% of adults are now considered obese, with 77% of children unable to qualify for military service because of their weight.
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05 New York Post President Trump speaks from the Oval Office on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. REUTERS The Washington Nationals "Racing Presidents" joined the event outside the White House on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. Getty Images
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06 Breitbart The president will sign the proclamation after holding a small business summit at the White House on Monday with small business leaders from around the country.
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07 Fox News Fox News Digital reached out to the office of President Obama for comment. More than 21% of Americans ages 2 to 19 were classified as obese between 2021 and 2023, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While 7% of American youths had severe obesity, according to the CDC.
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Sources (11)
- ap
- abc
- foxnews
- washtimes
- breitbart
- nbc
- washexaminer
- nypost
- pbs
- thehill
- usatoday