Trump Signs Memorandum to Revive Presidential Physical Fitness Award at White House Event

President Donald Trump revived the Presidential Physical Fitness Award on May 5, 2026, signing a memorandum to restore the program during a White House event with student athletes. The initiative reintroduces a competitive physical fitness test in America's schools, which had been phased out during the Obama administration.

Trump unveiled the award at his desk in the Oval Office, flanked by Cabinet members including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Health Secretary Robert F. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Housing Secretary Scott Turner. The event promoted the Presidential Fitness Test program, with Trump welcoming local children and families invited to the White House.

Students in attendance played sports including football, volleyball, hockey and golf.

On the White House South Lawn, Trump taught students his 'Trump dance' while 'YMCA' played, demonstrating the arm motions in a moment captured in a clip shared by the White House on X with the caption 'SPOTTED: PRESIDENT TRUMP TEACHING THE TRUMP DANCE ON THE SOUTH LAWN '.

The dance has become a recognizable visual from his rallies. Trump joined the children as they putted at a green, kicked soccer balls and threw a baseball.

Trump signed an order last summer to reestablish the Presidential Fitness Test, building on that effort with the May 5 memorandum. The test, created in the 1950s, was phased out under President Barack Obama in favor of a program minimizing competition and focusing on long-term health.

The earlier exam included exercises such as a 1-mile run and sit-ups, with students scoring above the 85th percentile for their gender in each component receiving the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.

U.S. military installations. The test's revival ties into a broader push to defend athletic traditions and pass values of excellence and competitiveness to the next generation.

He emphasized balancing physical and mental fitness, praising the athletes present. Trump connected the initiative to Health Secretary Robert F. 's 'Make America Healthy Again' agenda. Kennedy cited increased obesity among American children and said it was 'very unfortunate' that Obama discontinued the test, stressing the need to teach how to win and lose.