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The US President admitted that doctors wanted him to take a smaller dose, adding: "I'm a little superstitious."
12:19, Fri, Jan 2, 2026 Updated: 12:22, Fri, Jan 2, 2026
US President Donald Trump attends a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Donald Trump has reignited concerns about his health after admitting he takes a far higher daily dose of aspirin than doctors recommend, insisting it keeps his blood "nice, thin" to protect his heart. The 79-year-old president, the oldest ever inaugurated, revealed in an extensive interview with The Wall Street Journal that he has stuck to 325mg a day for 25 years, despite medical advice to lower it, and blames the habit for easy bruising that he covers with make-up.
Mr Trump expressed irritation at repeated scrutiny of his fitness, saying at the start of an impromptu phone call: “Let’s talk about health again for the 25th time.” He declared: “My health is perfect.” On his aspirin use, Mr Trump explained: “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart.”
A close-up shows US President Donald Trump's apparently bruised right hand (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He added: “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” He acknowledged doctors prefer a smaller dose: “They’d rather have me take the smaller one.” But he said: “I take the larger one, but I’ve done it for years, and what it does do is it causes bruising.” Admitting superstition, he remarked: “I’m a little superstitious.”
His physician, Navy Capt Sean Barbabella, confirmed to the Journal that Mr Trump takes 325mg daily for "cardiac prevention" and found no abnormalities in recent tests.
This regimen contradicts guidance from major US health bodies, which warn of elevated bleeding risks in older adults. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), in its 2022 guidelines still current as of 2026, recommends against initiating low-dose aspirin for primary cardiovascular prevention in adults aged 60 or older, concluding bleeding hazards outweigh benefits. For those 40-59 at higher risk, it advises individual decisions on low doses only.
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Donald Trump addresses supporters in North Carolina
The American Heart Association aligns with this recommendation, suggesting low-dose aspirin (75-100mg) primarily for secondary prevention after a heart event, rather than routinely for healthy seniors. The Mayo Clinic notes low-dose aspirin (typically 81mg) can prevent clots but cautions that bleeding risks rise with age and higher doses.
Mr Trump also clarified that an October scan at Walter Reed was a CT, not the MRI he initially told reporters. He said: “It wasn’t an MRI. It was less than that. It was a scan.” Reflecting on the publicity, he added: “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition.”
Addressing chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed last year, causing leg swelling, Mr Trump said he rejected compression socks: “I didn’t like them.” He now stands more often from his desk to ease symptoms.
On exercise, Mr Trump confessed: “I just don’t like it. It’s boring.” He explained: “To walk on a treadmill or run on a treadmill for hours and hours like some people do, that’s not for me.” Golf remains his preferred activity.
Dismissing claims he dozed during meetings, Mr Trump said: “I’ll just close. It’s very relaxing to me.” On unflattering photos, he noted: “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink.”
Regarding hand bruising, often visible and sometimes concealed with makeup, Mr Trump said: “I have makeup that’s, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds.”
Capt Barbabella described Mr Trump as in “exceptional health and perfectly suited to execute his duties as Commander in Chief.”
The disclosures, published on January 1, 2026, follow months of speculation over bruising, leg swelling and apparent drowsiness in public. They echo age-related questions that contributed to Joe Biden's 2024 campaign withdrawal.
Critics argue Mr Trump's defiance of medical advice on aspirin highlights potential risks for an elderly leader. Supporters see it as vigilant self-care. With no major guideline updates in 2025-2026, experts urge caution on high-dose use in those over 70, citing increased chances of gastrointestinal bleeding or haemorrhagic stroke.
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