In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump directly addressed mounting questions about his physical well-being, attributing noticeable bruising on his hand to a daily aspirin regimen and firmly denying he ever falls asleep during public events.
Addressing the Bruises and Sleep Speculation
The interview, published by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday, saw the 79-year-old former president vigorously defend his health. Trump, who is the oldest person to have assumed the U.S. presidency, stated "my health is perfect" and expressed clear frustration over the ongoing scrutiny.
He explained that the persistent bruising on his right hand, which has often been seen covered with makeup or a bandage, is a result of taking aspirin to thin his blood. "I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," Trump told the newspaper. He added that he covers the area when his hand gets "whacked," citing one instance where a cut was caused by a high-five with former Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose ring hit his hand.
On the topic of appearing to struggle to keep his eyes open during meetings—including a notable televised Oval Office session in November—Trump was dismissive. "I've never been a big sleeper," he said, rejecting the characterization outright. This is a politically sensitive issue for Trump, who frequently labeled his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, as "sleepy." Biden left office at 82, holding the record for oldest president, which Trump is poised to break if he wins another term.
Inconsistencies in Health Explanations
The interview also revealed a shift in Trump's account of a recent medical scan. While he previously told reporters he had undergone an MRI in October, he clarified to The Wall Street Journal that it was actually a quicker CT scan. "It was less than that. It was a scan," he stated.
His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed to the newspaper that a CT scan was performed "to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues." Trump had initially said of the October procedure, "Whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well, and they said that I had as good a result as they've ever seen."
Projecting Vigour Amid Scrutiny
Trump has long built his political image on a perception of relentless energy, through constant social media activity, frequent media engagements, and even AI-generated memes casting him as a powerful figure. However, the first year of his current campaign has amplified questions about his health, with observers also noting appearances of swollen ankles.
His lifestyle choices, which he does not hide, include rare exercise beyond golf and a well-documented preference for high-fat, high-sodium fast food. These factors, combined with the visible bruising and moments of apparent fatigue, have created a contrast with the vigorous image he projects.
By offering these explanations directly, Trump aims to control the narrative around his physical fitness as the political landscape intensifies. The details from The Wall Street Journal interview provide his most direct rebuttal to date against the whispers and observations that have followed him in recent months.
