Thread by @RetroReport

1/ Pres. Trump is denying that he had “a series of mini strokes” last year as speculation about his mysterious trip to Walter Reed hospital grows. But if the President really were hiding an illness, he would be far from the first to do so... nyti.ms/2DtA79y

2/ Most famously, FDR spent his entire presidency wheelchair-bound. Contrary to popular myth, his condition wasn’t entirely a secret, but great lengths were taken to hide the extent of the president’s condition, including using the Secret Service to interfere with photographers.

3/ President Kennedy struggled with Addison's disease and chronic back issues. During the 1960 election, robbers broke into the offices of two of JFK’s physicians. There has been speculation that the two were Nixon operatives, trying to access his opponent’s medical records.

4/ In 1994, Ronald Reagan announced that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. In the ensuing years, researchers have poured over his archives in search of signs the President’s condition was deteriorating in office. nytimes.com/2015/03/31/hea…

5/ Perhaps the most interesting story of a president hiding their health happened in 1919 when, two years into his second term, President Woodrow Wilson suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and incapacitated for the remainder of his presidency.

6/ Wilson’s wife Edith helped maintain the day-to-day functions of the executive branch, earning her the unofficial title of the “first woman president.” The first lady, however, denied that she took over the office entirely, referring to her role as a "stewardship."

7/ It’s not surprising that politicians often feel that they have to conceal their ailments. In 2016, Trump and Clinton’s health were both under heavy public scrutiny, particularly after the former Secretary of State was filmed appearing to faint while leaving an event.

8/ Check out this article from @washingtonpost to learn even more, including the story of Grover Cleveland’s secret boat surgery! (You can't make this up)

washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-h…