August M
Questions about age and fitness have returned to the spotlight after US President Donald Trump spoke at length about his health in a recent interview. His remarks came as public debate over his physical condition continues to draw attention.
Trump, now 79 and the oldest president inaugurated in US history, expressed frustration with the scrutiny while offering details about his medical routines and lifestyle, according to the BBC.
Irritation with scrutiny
The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump showed annoyance at the renewed focus on his health. “Let’s talk about health again for the 25th time,” he said at the start of what the paper described as an impromptu phone call.
The Journal noted that Trump has appeared to show signs of aging in recent months, including moments when he seemed to fall asleep during meetings or struggled to hear questions. Trump rejected those interpretations.
He said he sometimes closes his eyes in public because he finds it “relaxing,” and claimed that photos suggesting he was asleep were misleading. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking,” he said. “And they’ll catch me with the blink.”
Aspirin and bruising
Trump said he has taken higher-than-recommended doses of aspirin for about 25 years, even though it causes him to bruise easily. He told the Journal he takes 325mg daily, rather than the lower 81mg dose some doctors advise.
“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump said. He added that doctors would prefer him to take less, saying, “They’d rather have me take the smaller one.”
Trump said he has stuck with the routine out of habit. “I’m a little superstitious,” he said. He also acknowledged using makeup to cover bruises on his hands. “I have makeup that’s, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds,” he said.
Scans and exercise
Trump clarified that a medical scan he underwent at Walter Reed National Medical Center was a CT scan, not an MRI as he had previously stated. “It wasn’t an MRI,” he told the Journal. “It was less than that. It was a scan.”
His doctor, Navy Capt Sean Barbabella, said in a statement cited by the Journal that the CT scan showed no abnormalities and ruled out cardiovascular issues. Barbabella said Trump was in “exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief”.
Trump also confirmed he does not follow a regular exercise routine beyond golfing. “I just don’t like it. It’s boring,” he said, dismissing treadmill workouts as unappealing.
Sources: BBC, The Wall Street Journal
