On July 31, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test, a national fitness assessment for public school students that ran from 1956 to 2013, aiming to combat what his administration calls “crisis levels” of childhood obesity, inactivity, and poor nutrition. Flanked by athletes like golfer Bryson DeChambeau and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump framed the revival as a return to a “wonderful tradition” of fostering strength and competition, aligning with his “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. The test, which historically included exercises like a one-mile run, push-ups, sit-ups, and flexibility drills, will be administered by Kennedy’s department, with the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition tasked with updating criteria and creating a new Presidential Fitness Award for top performers. The move is presented as a patriotic effort to boost military readiness, economic vitality, and national morale, with Trump citing upcoming global sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics as a backdrop for showcasing American athleticism.

The reinstatement has ignited debate over its effectiveness and psychological impact. Supporters, including Vice President J.D. Vance, argue it counters excessive screen time and instills discipline and healthy habits early, with Kennedy recalling the test’s role as a source of pride in his youth. However, critics, including educators and health experts, warn that the test’s competitive focus risks body shaming and alienating students with physical challenges or disabilities, potentially fostering negative attitudes toward exercise. The Obama administration phased out the test in 2012, replacing it with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, which emphasized personalized health goals over standardized benchmarks to minimize peer comparisons. Studies, like a 2021 University of California review, suggest school environment matters more than fitness tests in preventing bullying, and experts like kinesiology professor Laura Richardson argue that consistent exercise, not periodic tests, drives long-term health. Data from the CDC shows obesity rates rose from 13% in 1960 to 34% in 2008 during the test’s tenure, casting doubt on its past success.

The administration’s choice of council members, including controversial figures like Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and former NFL player Lawrence Taylor, a registered sex offender, has further polarized reactions. Critics on platforms like X have called out Trump’s own health, noting his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency and perceived physical limitations, with some demanding he take the test himself to prove his fitness. The White House insists the program will include updated scoring and injury-prevention strategies, but details on exercises, implementation timeline, and accommodations for diverse student needs remain unclear. As schools prepare for a rollout potentially starting in the 2025-26 school year, concerns linger about funding, teacher training, and whether the test will inspire a “culture of strength” or revive memories of humiliation for a new generation. Trump’s allies frame it as a bold step to restore American vitality, but skeptics see it as a nostalgic gesture that may fall short without broader investment in inclusive health education.