In a candid interview, President Donald Trump, the oldest individual to ever assume the US presidency, has openly addressed growing public scrutiny over his health and aging, while simultaneously dismissing some recommendations from his physicians.
A Defiant Stance on Medical Advice
President Trump, who is 79 years old, revealed he takes a larger daily dose of aspirin than his doctors advise, leading to easy bruising. He consumes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, a dose significantly higher than the commonly recommended low dose of 81 milligrams. Despite medical suggestions to reduce it, Trump stated he has taken this amount for 25 years and is "a little superstitious" about changing it.
He also admitted to briefly trying compression socks for swelling in his lower legs, a condition diagnosed as superficial chronic venous insufficiency, but stopped because he didn't like them. Furthermore, Trump expressed regret over undergoing an advanced CT scan in October 2024, suggesting it provided unnecessary "ammunition" for questions about his wellbeing.
Signs of Aging and a Vigorous Schedule
People close to the President have noted signs of aging in both public and private settings. Aides, donors, and friends report often having to speak loudly in meetings as he strains to hear. On several occasions, cameras have captured him with his eyes closed during televised events in the West Wing, including a November announcement on weight-loss drug prices and a December cabinet meeting.
Trump's diet is known to be heavy on salty and fatty foods like hamburgers and french fries, and aside from golf, he does not engage in regular exercise, calling activities like treadmill running "boring." He also gets little sleep, often texting aides in the early hours of the morning.
Despite this, Trump, his doctor, and his aides insist he is in excellent health and maintains a demanding schedule. The White House provided a private calendar showing hundreds of meetings in December. His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, stated Trump is in "exceptional health and perfectly suited" for his duties, citing an AI-assisted Mayo Clinic analysis that estimated his cardiac age to be that of a 65-year-old.
Contradictions and Public Scrutiny
The President has at times described his medical care inaccurately. For weeks, he said he underwent an MRI in October, but he and Dr. Barbabella later clarified to The Wall Street Journal that it was a CT scan, a different and more common imaging procedure. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration had consistently referred to it as "advanced imaging."
Trump has also taken steps to conceal minor ailments, using makeup to cover bruising on his hands. His skin has become delicate; a high-five with former Attorney General Pam Bondi at the Republican National Convention caused his hand to bleed after her ring nicked him.
In an impromptu phone interview, Trump expressed irritation over the persistent public debate about his health, asserting, "My health is perfect." He denied struggling with hearing or falling asleep at events, attributing closed eyes to "blinking" or relaxation. He credits his energy to "very good genetics" inherited from his parents.
This focus on his own health comes in a political context where Trump frequently accused his predecessor, Joe Biden, of hiding health issues. Biden's decision not to seek re-election followed a debate performance that raised public doubts about his fitness.
