Donald Trump’s health has been a frequent topic of discussion, and a recent wide-ranging interview with the Wall Street Journal offered new insights into his well-being. In this interview, Donald Trump discussed his health, including his views on advanced medical imaging and his daily routines. He revealed that he regrets undergoing certain advanced imaging tests on his heart and abdomen, stating that it provided his critics with unnecessary “ammunition.” Despite this sentiment, he reiterated his strong belief in his own “perfect” health, a consistent theme throughout his public life. The interview delved into specific medical procedures and his personal approach to health management, offering a unique perspective from the former US president.
During the discussion, it was clarified that Donald Trump underwent a Computed Tomography (CT) scan in October, rather than the previously mentioned Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan. He expressed his frustration with the potential misinterpretations of these tests, remarking, “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition.” He emphasized that the very act of undergoing such a scan led to speculation about his health, when in fact, “nothing’s wrong.”
The status of Mr. Trump’s health has naturally garnered increased attention given his return to the political spotlight. At 79 years old, he holds the distinction of being the oldest person to take the oath of office, a fact he often contrasted with his political opponents during his re-election campaign.
Here is a comprehensive look at what Donald Trump shared about his health during the interview.
Trump underwent a CT scan, not an MRI scan.
In October of the previous year, Dr. Sean Barbabella, Mr. Trump’s physician, stated that the president was in “exceptional health” following a routine visit to the Walter Reed Medical Center. Subsequent remarks from Mr. Trump about undergoing an MRI scan had prompted further questions regarding the purpose and implications of such screenings.
Clarification on the imaging was provided in the Wall Street Journal interview, where it was confirmed that Mr. Trump actually received a CT scan. He stated, “It wasn’t an MRI. It was less than that. It was a scan.” Dr. Barbabella corroborated this, explaining that he had asked the president to undergo either a CT scan or MRI “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues,” and the results were “perfectly normal and revealed absolutely no abnormalities.”
Trump remains in ‘exceptional health,’ according to his doctor’s notes after a recent check-up.
A memo released by his doctor indicated that the 79-year-old’s “cardiac age” is approximately 14 years younger than his chronological age. A CT scan is generally a quicker diagnostic imaging process compared to an MRI, though it may offer less detailed insights into tissue variations. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that the president’s medical team and the White House have consistently maintained that the president received advanced imaging, with additional details being disclosed by the president himself.
Donald Trump attributes hand bruising to aspirin use.
Last year, Mr. Trump was observed on multiple occasions with makeup applied to his hands to conceal bruising. In October, Dr. Barbabella attributed this bruising to minor soft tissue irritation stemming from frequent handshaking and his regular aspirin use, which is part of a “standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.” During the Wall Street Journal interview, Mr. Trump also cited his aspirin intake as the cause of the bruising, admitting to taking more than was advised. He described himself as “a little superstitious” about changing his aspirin dose after 25 years, explaining his preference for thinning his blood to maintain cardiovascular health. Dr. Barbabella confirmed that Mr. Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily. Mr. Trump noted that while doctors might prefer a smaller dose, he has taken the larger one for years, acknowledging that it leads to bruising. The article also mentioned that his skin is so delicate that Attorney-General Pam Bondi inadvertently caused his hand to bleed with her ring during a high-five. Mr. Trump admitted to frequently applying makeup to his hands after such incidents.
The White House had previously announced that the president was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults where veins in the legs struggle to efficiently return blood to the heart, leading to pooling in the lower legs. Mr. Trump shared that he briefly experimented with compression socks to manage swelling but discontinued their use because he “didn’t like them.”
Trump denies falling asleep and calls exercise ‘boring’.
Despite labeling Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe,” Mr. Trump himself has faced accusations of dozing off during a December cabinet meeting and earlier at a November announcement concerning the cost of weight-loss medication. However, Mr. Trump vehemently denied ever falling asleep while working, suggesting that media photographs capturing him in such states are merely of him blinking. He described closing his eyes as “very relaxing” and stated that photographers sometimes capture him mid-blink. Regarding exercise, Mr. Trump expressed a lack of interest in anything beyond golf, finding other forms of physical activity “boring.” He specifically mentioned that activities like walking or running on a treadmill for extended periods are not for him. When questioned about his hearing, the Wall Street Journal article reported Mr. Trump responded sarcastically, before clarifying that he only experiences hearing difficulties sometimes “when there’s a lot of people talking.”
