President Donald Trump has asserted that his health is "perfect" while revealing he regularly takes a higher dose of aspirin than his doctors advise. The 79-year-old made the comments in a detailed interview with the Wall Street Journal, pushing back against growing scrutiny over his physical condition.
Defiance Over Daily Aspirin Regime
Trump disclosed that the large daily dose of aspirin he consumes has led to easy bruising. His medical team has encouraged him to reduce the intake, but he has refused, stating he has followed this routine for a quarter of a century. "I'm a little superstitious," the President explained.
He justified the practice by citing blood-thinning benefits. "They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," Trump said. "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?"
Scrutiny and a Slower Presidential Pace
Like his predecessor Joe Biden, Trump faces increasing questions about his vitality. Recent months have seen headlines about apparent make-up on his hand and episodes of drowsiness during a December cabinet meeting and an event on weight-loss medication.
In response, Trump told the Journal he has adjusted his schedule on staff advice to work at a slower pace. His day now starts early in the White House residence office before moving to the Oval Office around 10am, where he works until 7pm or 8pm. He has requested fewer, more significant meetings to allow for greater focus.
This modified routine included spending roughly two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, often called the "winter White House". Staff have also reportedly counselled him to try to keep his eyes open during public appearances.
Regret Over Health Scans and Reliance on Genetics
Trump expressed frustration with the repeated focus on his health, beginning the interview by saying, "Let's talk about health again for the 25th time. My health is perfect." He specifically regretted undergoing an advanced cardiovascular and abdominal imaging scan during a routine check-up in October 2025.
"In retrospect, it's too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition," he stated. The White House had initially described the procedure as a CT scan. "I would have been a lot better off if they didn't, because the fact that I took it said, 'Oh gee, is something wrong?' Well, nothing's wrong."
Despite this, his physician, US Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, told the Journal his patient is in "exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as commander in chief". The White House also provided an AI analysis of Trump's electrocardiogram that indicated a cardiac age of 65.
Trump acknowledged trying compression socks for leg swelling but discarding them because "I didn't like them." He said increased walking had improved the issue. He rejects formal exercise beyond golf, calling activities like treadmill running "boring." Instead, he credits his energy to genetics. "Genetics are very important," Trump said. "And I have very good genetics."
