Trump Signs Executive Order Reintroducing Presidential Fitness Test to Public Schools

The President signed a executive order on Thursday to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test to public schools. His stated goal was to “foster a new, healthy generation of active citizens.”

The Order instructs the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition (Presidential Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition) to develop school-based programs that “reward excellence in physical education and create criteria for a Presidential Fitness Award.”

The first fitness test was introduced by President Dwight Eisenhower back in 1956. It became part of American Physical Education classes between 1956 and 2012-2013.

Students were required to perform a variety of physical challenges including sit-ups and pull-ups as well as standing broad jumps and 50 yard dashes. The top 15 percent received various certificates and awards.

President Barack Obama has retired the Presidential Fitness Test, replacing it with the Presidential Youth Fitness Program. This program does not award achievement awards, and instead emphasizes individual progress and improvement over excellence.

The order of Trump states that “This Order will ensure American youth have opportunities on a global, national and State level to emphasize the importance a healthy lifestyle, American sports and good nutrition,” as well as a military readiness.

The President’s Order directs the Council “to partner with professional athletes and sports organizations as well as influential figures” in order to achieve “a culture of strength, vitality and excellence for the future generation by promoting physical, mental and civic benefits from exercise and good nutrition.”

In order to do so, Trump signed autographs with the Kansas City Chiefs’ Harrison Butker, the former New York Giants’ Lawrence Taylor, the golfer Bryson deChambeau and wrestler Paul “Triple H”, Levesque as well as former football player Cody Campbell in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Thursday afternoon.

Butker said he was “excited” to play his part in helping Make America Health Again. He wanted to make sure that our children were healthy and thrived, so they could grow up and become great citizens and family members, as well as contribute to the greatness of this nation. “You must be strong in your mind, body and soul.”

Taylor said that he didn’t know what the president was asking him to do but was still happy to help.

He said, “I don’t know why. I don’t know what it is we should be doing. But I’m Here to Serve, and I’m Here to Serve YOU [President Trump],” “I will do my best for as long I can.”

HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said it was crucial to “reinstill that spirit of competition” and to be committed to physical fitness and nutrition. He thanked Trump for returning the Presidential Fitness Test.

Vice President J.D. Vance and several other cabinet members flanked the president as he signed the executive order. Vance.

“It was not signed using an autopen.” Trump snarked, “There’s no autopen.” “We don’t have autopens in the White House.”