On Thursday, President Donald Trump is set to commemorate a notable occasion by signing an executive order aimed at revitalizing his Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. According to White House officials who communicated with CNN, this initiative will reintroduce the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, a component intended to measure and encourage physical fitness among American youth. The president’s event will be bolstered by the presence of several renowned professional athletes, who will serve as supporters and ambassadors for the initiative.
This event comes at a strategic time for the United States, which is preparing to host a series of prominent sporting events, including the 2025 Ryder Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2028 Summer Olympics. These grand occasions are seen as significant achievements for Trump, particularly as he seeks a second term in office. The involvement of celebrated athletes like golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs, and former New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor amplifies the significance of the gathering and serves to unite the narrative around American sportsmanship and physical health.
Trump, known for his desire to oversee successful sporting events, has publicly claimed a vested interest in shaping the discourse around various cultural issues—many of which intersect with the realm of sports. This includes recent policies relating to transgender athletes and a controversial stance on the renaming of the Washington Commanders. In an apparent effort to maintain momentum and capitalize on his administration’s achievements, the President’s initiative seeks to inject renewed focus on physical fitness in the educational landscape.
The executive order is set to formally restore the Presidential Fitness Test, which was first launched during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson back in 1966. Under the new mandate, programs will be developed in schools that reward exemplary performance in physical education, alongside the establishment of criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award. This revamp should recall memories of the test’s former prominence, which lasted until its discontinuation in 2012 by former President Barack Obama, who opted for a more individualized assessment known as the FitnessGram aimed at fostering personal health.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the President’s vision, stating that “President Trump wants every young American to have the opportunity to emphasize healthy, active lifestyles—creating a culture of strength and excellence for years to come.” The administration articulates that this order addresses what they perceive as an urgent, widespread epidemic of poor health and physical fitness among the youth. Consequently, the presidential council is directed to forge partnerships with influential athletes and sports organizations to promote this health-focused initiative.
Many athletes participating in the event will be inaugurated as formal members of the council, reinforcing their role in advocating for the mission. Notably, Bryson DeChambeau, who has a close relationship with Trump and recently played golf on the South Lawn of the White House, will be named as the council’s chairman—a designation that illustrates the trust and alignment he has with the administration.
Meanwhile, Harrison Butker has garnered attention for his previous remarks during a commencement speech, where he suggested that achievements at home hold more value than traditional academic or professional accomplishments. His comments stirred controversy, especially regarding the notion of Pride Month, which he labeled a “deadly sin.” Nonetheless, he stands as a figure who has met with Trump to discuss sports-related issues and policies earlier this year.
Lawrence Taylor, a former sports figure celebrated in New York during Trump’s rise in prominence, has also been involved in the president’s campaign events, showcasing the intertwining of sports and politics in this context. Other notable attendees expected at the Thursday event include Cody Campbell, a prominent voice in college sports, Paul “Triple H” Levesque of WWE, legendary golfer Annika Sorenstam, and medical professional Stephen Soloway, who previously served on Trump’s sports council.
Overall, this event underscores a concerted effort from the Trump administration to intertwine fitness initiatives with the broader agenda of American excellence, particularly in light of high-profile athletic events on the horizon. The updated narrative aims to highlight the administration’s commitment to health and well-being among youth, reflected through a mixture of sports celebration and policy-making.
