When: august 1, 2025
Where: White House, Roosevelt Room
At a high‑energy event, President Donald Trump officially signed an executive order to revive the historic Presidential Fitness Test and relaunch the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition Wikipedia+15The White House+15FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul+15.
With him on stage were pro sports icons, including golfer Bryson DeChambeau, wrestler-turned-executive Triple H, NFL kicker Harrison Butker, and golfing legend Annika Sörenstam YouTube+10The White House+10New York Post+10.
What Did Trump Say?
Trump emphasized that the return of the Fitness Test is about restoring discipline, strength, confidence, and character in America’s youth.
“We’re bringing back a wonderful tradition — making fitness fun, competitive, and cool again,” he declared The White House.
He also announced plans to tackle college sports reform, women’s athletics, and the broken transfer portal system, as part of the Council’s work The Sun+2The White House+2San Francisco Chronicle+2.
What Is the Presidential Fitness Test?
- Origin Story: Originally launched in the late 1950s by President Eisenhower and officially adopted under President Johnson in 1966KCRA+3Wikipedia+3San Francisco Chronicle+3.
- What It Included: A classic testing lineup—sit‑ups, push‑ups or pull‑ups, a one‑mile run, plus a flexibility test (like sit‑and‑reach) Wikipedia+2The Sun+2New York Post+2.
- Legacy: At its peak, it was a major schoolyard tradition—kids across America competed for Presidential Fitness Awards.
- Why It Was Dropped: The program was phased out in 2013 under Obama and replaced with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program, shifting focus toward individualized health over raw athleticism The White House+1KCRA+1New York Post+4Wikipedia+4The Sun+4.
Who’s on Trump’s Sports & Fitness Council?
Trump unveiled a star‑studded team to lead the revived Council:
- Chairman: Bryson DeChambeau — the influential LIV golfer and Trump golfing partner Wikipedia+10The White House+10FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul+10.
- Key Members:
- Harrison Butker (Chiefs kicker)
- Nick Bosa (49ers defensive end)
- Saquon Barkley (Eagles running back)
- Tua Tagovailoa (Dolphins quarterback)
- Annika Sörenstam (Swedish golf legend)
- Paul “Triple H” Levesque (WWE Chief Content Officer)
- Lawrence Taylor, former Giants linebacker YouTube+8San Francisco Chronicle+8KCRA+8The Sun+7Omni+7KCRA+7.
- Vice President JD Vance and HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. were also part of the event, with Kennedy stressing the pride he felt earning the fitness award in childhood The Sun+3The White House+3New York Post+3.
Why It Matters Now
- Health Crisis: The order is part of a broader push to combat the national rise in childhood obesity and sedentary lifestyles The White House+1Wikipedia+1.
- Upcoming Sports Events: The revival aligns with major global events hosted by the U.S., including the 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics The Sun+2The White House+2KCRA+2.
- Political Messaging: Critics say this move is as much about Trump’s cultural appeal and campaign image (“Make America Fit Again”) as it is about children’s health New York PostFOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.
Voices from the Field
- DeChambeau, chosen as chairman, called the Council’s work a chance to “literally change the fabric of kids’ lives” KCRA+2San Francisco Chronicle+2New York Post+2.
- Triple H told the crowd that learning about fitness early sets you up for success — mentally and physically New York PostThe Times of India.
- Butker joined the lineup of supporters, even though his controversial past remarks (calling Pride Month a “deadly sin”) have drawn heavy criticism KCRA.
- Annika Sörenstam shared that she felt “honoured” to support efforts addressing childhood obesity and mental health Omni.
- Taylor’s participation drew backlash: he is a registered sex offender, prompting fierce debate over his presence at a kids’ fitness event New York Magazine.
What’s Next?
- Schools across the U.S. will soon begin administering the reintroduced fitness test, complete with timed runs, push‑ups or pull‑ups, and flexibility benchmarks.
- The Council will work with schools, coaches, and sports groups to develop school‑based reward programs and a new Presidential Fitness Award for top-performing students FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul+2The Sun+2The White House+2.
- Campaigners warn that real impact depends on follow‑through—sustainable resources, teacher training, and supportive policies are needed for lasting change.
Final Word
The return of the Presidential Fitness Test is more than a nostalgic throwback — it’s billed as a nationwide effort to reshape how America treats youth fitness. With celebrities and athletes lending star power, the initiative taps into competition, tradition, and cultural buzz. But skeptics say it also risks being more symbolic than substantive if not backed by real policy action.
