Featured Image Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty
Topics: Donald Trump, Fitness, Health, School, Education
Callum Jones
Topics: Donald Trump, Fitness, Health, School, Education
Many on the internet have had horrible flashbacks to their childhood after hearing the 'brutal' fitness test Donald Trump is planning to bring back to US schools.
The POTUS has signed a whopping 176 executive orders since returning to the White House in January, as per the Federal Register.
While some have been more significant than others, Trump's latest move has a certain generation traumatized after giving them flashbacks to their school days.
Standing alongside golfer Bryson DeChambeau, Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker and former New York Giants player Lawrence Taylor on Thursday (July 31), the Republican president signed an executive order to bring back the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools.
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The test, which was first introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson way back in 1966, involved activities such as a one-mile run, sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups.
The Presidential Fitness Test across schools in the US was scrapped by President Barack Obama in 2012, with it being replaced by a scheme known as FitnessGram.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, Trump said: "This is an important step in our mission to make America healthy again.
"It’s something that’s very important, what we’re doing, very important. Dating back to the administration of President Dwight D Eisenhower, this council has championed the vigor and strength and vitality of the American people today. We continue that very proud tradition."
The president added: "It was a big deal. This was a wonderful tradition, and we’re bringing it back. It’s turned out to be very, very popular to do."
Speaking of the news, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told CNN: "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 new executive order has certainly brought back some bad memories for many, as one person penned on Reddit: "We did this 'beep test' for varsity soccer and kids would throw up or nearly throw up every summer. It was brutal."
A second added: "I remember doing this test in elementary school. I can still hear the audio from this stupid test in my head. I remember I only got up to like 15 or so before I was done...I was an out of shape kid."
Meanwhile, a third spoke of Trump and said: "Let’s see him pass it."
The news comes as the US has a huge sporting agenda on the horizon, including hosting 2025 Ryder Cup, 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.