In a recent and extensive interview with The Wall Street Journal, President Donald Trump directly addressed the growing public speculation about his health, dismissing concerns and attributing visible signs like bruising and closed eyes to his personal habits and routines.
President Trump stated that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, a dose higher than the 81mg often recommended by doctors for preventative therapy. He directly linked this regimen to the bruising seen on his hands, explaining that while aspirin thins the blood, it also makes him bruise more easily. He carries makeup to cover these marks when needed and has resisted switching to a lower dose, stating he has followed this routine for 25 years and is "a little superstitious" about changing it.
The President clarified details about a medical scan he underwent in October 2025. After previously telling reporters he had an MRI, he informed the Journal it was a CT scan. His physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, confirmed the CT scan was performed "to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues" and that results were normal. Trump expressed regret about undergoing the scan, saying it gave critics "a little ammunition" by prompting health questions.
Trump firmly denied falling asleep during public meetings, a claim that arose after he was photographed and filmed with his eyes closed on several occasions. He characterized these moments as simply closing his eyes because he finds it "very relaxing" or being caught mid-blink by photographers. Reports indicate that White House staff have counseled him to try to keep his eyes open during public events.
Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly declared his health to be "perfect" and attributed his vitality to "very good genetics". He acknowledged he does not engage in regular exercise beyond golf, finding activities like using a treadmill "boring". He also mentioned a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition causing leg swelling, and said he tried but disliked wearing compression socks.