Washington, July 31, 2025 – The Europe Today: Former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday reestablishing the Presidential Fitness Test, a once-iconic national initiative aimed at encouraging physical activity and healthy habits among American schoolchildren.
Originally introduced in 1966, the program required students to complete physical challenges such as sit-ups, pull-ups or push-ups, a 1-mile run, and a sit-and-reach flexibility test. However, the program underwent significant changes in 2012 under the Obama administration, shifting away from athletic performance benchmarks to more individualized health assessments under the “Youth Fitness Program.”
In a statement issued by the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Trump aims “to ensure America’s future generations are strong, healthy, and successful,” and that all youth “have the opportunity to emphasize healthy, active lifestyles — creating a culture of strength and excellence for years to come.”
During a late afternoon ceremony at the White House, Trump is expected to formally reestablish the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition, tasking Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. with overseeing the renewed fitness test. The council will also develop new criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award that recognizes athletic achievement, revisiting an earlier era of physical education policy.
The renewed focus on youth fitness aligns with Trump’s broader emphasis on sports. A high school baseball player and avid golfer, Trump has consistently integrated major sporting events into his public engagements, including attending the Super Bowl, the Daytona 500, and various UFC matches.
The announcement comes as the U.S. prepares to host several high-profile international sporting events: the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Trump’s move seeks to instill a culture of athleticism and national pride in the lead-up to these global competitions.
Expected to join the former president at the signing ceremony are several prominent athletes and sports figures, including:
- Bryson DeChambeau, professional golfer and long-time Trump ally;
- Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs kicker known for controversial remarks about gender roles and social issues;
- Annika Sörenstam, Swedish golf legend who accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in January 2021;
- Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE executive and son-in-law of Trump’s former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon; and
- Lawrence Taylor, former New York Giants linebacker and registered sex offender who has previously campaigned with Trump.
While the presence of some invitees has drawn scrutiny due to past controversies, Trump’s team emphasized the symbolic importance of bringing together influential figures from the athletic world to promote the new initiative.
The Department of Health and Human Services’ current fitness guidance, last updated in 2023, highlights the value of personal fitness goals over peer comparison. However, Trump’s reinstatement of the original test suggests a return to performance-based assessments that reward measurable physical achievements.
The reintroduction of the Presidential Fitness Test marks a significant shift in national health education policy and represents an effort to revive what Trump and his supporters view as traditional values in physical fitness, discipline, and competition.
