At 79 years old, Donald Trump has become the oldest person ever sworn in as U.S. President for a second, non-consecutive term. As he begins this term in 2026, questions about his health have resurfaced. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump openly discussed his habits, admitting he ignores some medical advice while insisting he’s in good shape thanks to “good genetics” and a lifelong routine.
One of the biggest revelations is Trump’s daily aspirin intake. He takes 325 milligrams—four times the low-dose recommendation of 81 milligrams often suggested for heart health, according to the Mayo Clinic. Trump has followed this regimen for 25 years, explaining, “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” He calls himself “a little superstitious” about it and resists his doctors’ pleas to lower the dose.
This higher dose helps prevent heart attacks by keeping blood flowing smoothly, but it comes with risks, especially for older adults. It can cause easier bruising and increase the chance of internal bleeding in the stomach, intestines, or brain. Photos of Trump’s hands often show bruises, which the White House attributes to his frequent handshaking combined with the blood-thinning effects of aspirin. To cover the discoloration, he applies makeup—sometimes noticeably mismatched—that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has confirmed hides the marks.
Trump also addressed other signs of aging. He briefly wore compression socks for swollen ankles, a common issue linked to chronic venous insufficiency (where veins in the legs struggle to pump blood back to the heart). However, he stopped because he didn’t like them.
In October 2025, Trump underwent a CT scan (not an MRI, as initially reported) of his heart and abdomen during a visit to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. His physician, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, said the results were “perfectly normal” with no abnormalities. Still, Trump regrets the scan because it fueled media speculation. “In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,” he said. “I would have been a lot better off if they didn’t, because the fact that I took it said, ‘Oh gee, is something wrong?’ Well, nothing’s wrong.”
Photos from White House events, like a December 2025 cabinet meeting, have shown Trump with his eyes closed, sparking rumors he dozes off. He denies this, saying he gets by on little sleep—as he always has—and that such images just catch him blinking or relaxing.
Reports from aides mention needing to speak louder in meetings due to hearing issues, but Trump brushes these off. His lifestyle includes golf as his main exercise, a diet heavy in fast food like McDonald’s, and plenty of Diet Coke—he even kept his Oval Office “red button” to summon one instantly.
Trump’s health scrutiny echoes the intense focus on his predecessor, Joe Biden, who faced criticism for age-related concerns and left office at 82. Biden later announced a serious prostate cancer diagnosis in May 2025. Trump, who will turn 82 near the end of this term if he serves fully, maintains a busy schedule and projects defiance against any doubts about his fitness.
As the new year began, Trump celebrated at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, appearing energetic just days before these revelations.
In the end, Trump’s approach is clear: stick to what works for him, downplay concerns, and rely on his self-described strong genetics to carry him through.