President Donald Trump said he takes a higher daily dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend, attributing visible bruising on his hands to the medication, in a
wide-ranging interview with ‘The Wall Street Journal’ published Thursday.
“I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart,” Trump, 79, told the Journal, explaining his long-standing use of aspirin. He said he has taken the drug for roughly 25 years and described himself as “a little superstitious” about stopping.
The comments came amid renewed scrutiny of the president’s health, transparency and fitness for office. Bruising on Trump’s right hand has been visible for months and predates his return to the White House, according to CNN reporting, but has drawn increased attention after he appeared to conceal it with makeup, bandages or by shielding it from cameras. Observers have also pointed to swelling in his legs and moments in which he appeared to doze during public events.
Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily. The Mayo Clinic says low-dose aspirin typically ranges from 75 to 100 milligrams, with 81 milligrams commonly recommended, while daily aspirin therapy can range up to 325 milligrams. Aspirin can reduce the risk of blood clots but increases bleeding risk, and recent medical guidance has narrowed recommendations for routine daily use—particularly for older adults—because potential harms can outweigh benefits.
The White House has previously said Trump’s hand bruising is the result of frequent handshaking combined with aspirin use, which can make bruising more likely. Medical experts who spoke to CNN said the bruising does not indicate a new cause for concern, though questions persist about the administration’s limited disclosures.
In the interview, Trump also clarified details about imaging he underwent in October. While he initially described the procedure as an MRI, he told the Journal it was a CT scan. Barbabella said the scan was conducted “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues.” A memo released last month stated that imaging of Trump’s cardiovascular and abdominal systems showed “perfectly normal” results.
Trump addressed swelling in his lower legs, which the White House announced in July was due to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition among older adults. He said he tried compression socks but did not continue using them and indicated little interest in regular exercise.
“I just don’t like it. It’s boring,” Trump said, dismissing treadmill workouts.
The president also pushed back on suggestions that he has fallen asleep during public events, saying he sometimes closes his eyes because it is “very relaxing,” and downplayed any concerns about his hearing, saying he only struggles in crowded, noisy settings.
Trump, who became the oldest president to take the oath of office, has frequently questioned the health and fitness of his predecessor, former President Joe Biden. Biden denied Trump’s claims that actions were signed in his name without his awareness and exited the 2024 race after a debate performance intensified concerns about his age. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.