President Trump disclosed on Monday that Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL) “would be dead by June” due to a terminal diagnosis without medical intervention.
“Congressman Neal Dunn of Florida had some real health challenges, and it was very serious,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) commented.
Johnson said the Florida Republican had a “pretty grim diagnosis.”
“I mentioned it to the president, and I said, ‘Congressman Dunn is a real champion and a patriot because he’s still coming to work and if others got this diagnosis, they would be apt to go home and retire,'” Johnson continued.
“What was the diagnosis?” Trump asked.
“I think it was a terminal diagnosis,” Johnson responded.
“He would be dead by June,” Trump said.
“Okay, that wasn’t public, but yeah, okay,” Johnson said.
Trump confirmed it was a “heart problem.”
Johnson explained that Trump got his doctors involved and quickly provided treatment to give the congressman a “new lease on life.”
“He acts like he’s 30 years younger,” Johnson said.
Watch the exchange:
NOW – Trump lets it slip that Congressman Neal Dunn of Florida would have been dead by June, with terminal heart disease, if his doctors did not intervene. pic.twitter.com/d5id8wUa6x
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) March 16, 2026
Axios explained further:
Johnson and Trump both discussed how the speaker is working with one of the narrowest majorities in history, and can only afford to lose two of his members on party-line votes.
Trump said of Dunn’s diagnosis: “Number One, it was bad because I liked [Dunn]. Number Two, it’s bad because I needed his vote,” Trump said.
Republicans are likely to win an April 7 special election runoff for former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-Ga.) seat, giving them one more vote.
ADVERTISEMENTBut a special election to replace New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) will take place April 16 — leaving the GOP with that extra margin for only about a week.
The Florida Republican announced in January that he would not seek re-election after serving five terms in Congress.
“After much prayerful consideration and discussion with my family, I have decided not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives. This will conclude my service after five meaningful terms representing the people of Florida’s Second Congressional District,” Dunn said in a statement.
“The time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren,” he added.
Please see my statement on my decision not to seek re-election. pic.twitter.com/sogoXQTJZD
— Dr. Neal Dunn (@DrNealDunnFL2) January 13, 2026
There have been rumors for weeks that Dunn would possibly retire early.
Newsweek noted:
Dunn has not publicly detailed his medical condition, but Trump said Dunn had been given what he described as a terminal diagnosis involving a serious heart problem. During public remarks, Trump said doctors had initially told Dunn there was “nothing they can do” and that without treatment he “would be dead by June.” Dunn has not confirmed those specifics, and his office has previously declined to discuss details of his health.
There has been no announcement that Dunn plans to resign from Congress. Dunn has previously said he intends to serve out his term, and Johnson noted that despite his health challenges, Dunn continued coming to work and voting. Trump also said Dunn told him he planned to keep voting as long as he was able, underscoring the importance of every vote in the closely divided House.
