In an impromptu phone call to The Wall Street Journal, Trump rejected speculation about his health, saying he had not fallen asleep during recent public events or experienced hearing problems. He said he sometimes closes his eyes because it’s “relaxing,” and blamed photographers for capturing him mid-blink.
Trump, the oldest president inaugurated in U.S. history, said he takes 325mg of aspirin daily — higher than the 81mg dose often recommended by doctors — to thin his blood. “I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he told the Journal, acknowledging the medication causes him to bruise easily.
The former president also clarified that a scan he received at Walter Reed National Medical Center in October was a CT scan, not an MRI as he had previously claimed. His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, said the scan was conducted “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues” and showed no abnormalities.
Trump said he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency and advised to wear compression socks, but refused. “I didn’t like them,” he said, noting he instead tries to stand more often to improve circulation in his legs.
As for physical activity, Trump dismissed traditional workouts, saying, “To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that's not for me.” He said he prefers golf.
Barbabella stated that Trump remains in “exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief.”
President Joe Biden, Trump's 2020 rival, dropped out of the 2024 race after a widely criticized debate performance raised concerns about his age and cognitive abilities.
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Source: PAP, BBC