WASHINGTON D.C. January 18, 2026 – President Donald Trump has recruited WWE legend Paul “Triple H” Levesque to help revive the Presidential Fitness Test, a Cold War-era program aimed at promoting physical health among American youth, as childhood obesity rates have surged dramatically in recent decades.
The White House announced the initiative in a social media post featuring Levesque, highlighting his role in combating what officials describe as an alarming 270% increase in childhood obesity.
In an exclusive op-ed for Fox News, Levesque detailed his personal fitness journey and endorsed the president’s “Make America Fit Again” campaign.
“At 14, I was about six feet tall, pimple-faced and 130 pounds soaking wet,” Levesque wrote. “I went from 130 pounds to a world champ. We all must get fit.”
He recounted stepping into a gym for the first time as a skinny teenager and how consistent training transformed his life, leading to his success as a 14-time world champion in professional wrestling.
Drawing on his WWE persona, Levesque invoked his famous catchphrase: “On behalf of the president: Are you ready?” to rally Americans toward healthier lifestyles.
The revived Presidential Fitness Test, originally launched in the 1950s and later discontinued, will encourage schools to implement structured physical challenges and recognition for student achievement. Levesque has been tapped to serve on the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, bringing credibility and visibility to the effort.
Supporters praise the move as a high-profile way to make fitness “cool” for younger generations, while critics have questioned the symbolism given varying public perceptions of health standards.
The initiative comes as health experts warn that childhood obesity has roughly tripled since the 1970s, contributing to long-term risks including diabetes, heart disease, and reduced life expectancy.
White House officials say the program will partner with schools, communities, and influencers to restore physical education priorities and inspire a national fitness renaissance.
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