US President Donald Trump has said he is in “perfect” health, pushing back forcefully against what he described as relentless public scrutiny of his physical condition, in a lengthy interview with The Wall Street Journal that focused almost entirely on his age, habits and medical history. Trump, who at 79 is the oldest president ever inaugurated in the United States, opened the conversation with visible irritation, questioning why his health continues to dominate public discussion and suggesting that the attention has become excessive compared with that faced by previous occupants of the White House.
Throughout the interview, Trump sought to portray himself as physically capable and mentally sharp, even as he acknowledged several personal medical routines that have drawn attention in recent years. He insisted that he feels strong and alert, rejecting the idea that his age has diminished his ability to govern, and framed the discussion as an example of what he sees as unfair and repetitive media focus on his well-being rather than on policy or leadership.
One of the most notable disclosures involved Trump’s long-term use of aspirin, which he said he has taken daily for more than 25 years at a dose higher than what doctors often recommend. Trump told the newspaper that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin each day, rather than the lower 81-milligram dose commonly advised for some patients, explaining that he believes the medication helps keep his blood thin and supports his heart health, even though physicians have suggested a smaller dose.
Trump acknowledged that the higher aspirin intake causes him to bruise easily, an issue that has occasionally been visible in photographs of his hands and has fueled speculation about his health. Addressing those images directly, he said he now carries makeup to cover bruises when necessary, describing it as quick and easy to apply. He added that while doctors would prefer he adjust his routine, he has been reluctant to change habits he has followed for decades, describing himself as “a little superstitious” about altering long-standing practices.
The president also clarified earlier statements about a medical scan he received at Walter Reed National Medical Center, correcting previous comments in which he told reporters he had undergone a magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, scan. In the interview, Trump said the test was actually a computed tomography, or CT, scan, which he described as “less than” an MRI, but nonetheless sufficient for the purpose it served.
According to a statement from Trump’s physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella, provided to The Wall Street Journal, the CT scan was conducted in October to definitively rule out cardiovascular issues. Barbabella said the results showed no abnormalities, reinforcing the White House position that the president does not suffer from any serious underlying heart or vascular conditions and remains medically fit to carry out his duties.
The interview comes amid ongoing public debate about Trump’s age and visible signs that critics and observers have cited as potential indicators of decline. In recent months, Trump has appeared in photographs and videos that some commentators interpreted as showing him falling asleep during meetings or struggling to hear questions, moments that have circulated widely on social media and intensified discussion about his health and stamina.
Trump strongly rejected those interpretations, telling the newspaper that he has not nodded off during official engagements and does not have hearing problems. He said that he sometimes closes his eyes because he finds it relaxing and suggested that photographers often capture him mid-blink, creating misleading impressions. “They’ll catch me with the blink,” he said, dismissing claims that he was dozing or disengaged.
On lifestyle and exercise, Trump acknowledged that he does not follow a regular fitness routine beyond playing golf, which he continues to enjoy. He said he finds activities such as treadmill walking or running boring and has no interest in spending long periods exercising in that way. The president also discussed his diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition among older adults, noting that he was advised to wear compression socks but chose not to because he disliked them, instead opting to stand up and move around more frequently to reduce leg swelling.
In his concluding assessment, Barbabella said Trump remains in “exceptional health” and is “perfectly suited” to execute his responsibilities as Commander in Chief, a statement likely intended to counter ongoing skepticism about the president’s fitness for office. The interview, however, underscores the persistent public interest in the health of aging political leaders, particularly in an era when longer life expectancy is increasingly colliding with the physical demands and scrutiny of holding the world’s most powerful offices.