Donald Trump, poised to become the oldest president to serve the United States at the conclusion of his second term, has revealed that he’s disregarding medical advice in an effort to quell concerns about his health. In a candid admission to the Wall Street Journal, Trump disclosed that he regularly consumes more aspirin than recommended. “I’m a little superstitious,” he explained, emphasizing his belief that aspirin aids in blood thinning. “I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?” he stated.

For the past 25 years, Trump has been taking a daily dosage of 325 milligrams of aspirin, a quantity that surpasses the typical recommendation of 81 milligrams, as noted by the Mayo Clinic. This substantial intake has led to easier bruising, prompting his doctors to advise a reduction in dosage. Despite the potential for severe side effects, such as internal bleeding in the stomach, intestines, and brain—risks that escalate with age—Trump seems focused on the cardiovascular benefits, namely, reducing the chance of a heart attack by maintaining robust blood flow.

Trump’s hands, often photographed with visible makeup, are reportedly concealing bruises, a result of frequent handshakes, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Additionally, some aides have noted a decline in his hearing, necessitating louder conversations during meetings, and there have been observations of him struggling to stay awake during White House events. Instead of heeding medical guidance, the 79-year-old president places his faith in what he refers to as his “good genetics.”

Biden was 82 when his presidency ended last January but Trump will clock in 82 years and seven months if he serves through January 2029. Biden received a flood of criticism over his health and declining mental acuity during his four years in office. There was widespread reporting on concerns even within his own team over whether he was fit to continue leading the country. Just four months after leaving office, Biden announced in May 2025 that he was diagnosed with an aggressive stage of prostate cancer that metastasized to his bones. Medical experts were doubtful the diagnosis really happened after he was out of office considering presidents’ health are closely monitored throughout their term and the cancer was advanced to Stage Four.

In addition to the visible bruising, Trump also had a brief stint wearing compression socks for his swelled ankles that he stopped wearing because he didn’t like them, according to the Journal. He also divulged that he regrets undergoing advanced imaging during his check-up at Walter Reed Medical Center because it opened him up to more scrutiny over his age and health. ‘In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition,’ Trump said regarding his decision to get a cardiovascular and abdominal scan in October 2025. ‘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.’

For years – spanning back to his first term COVID-19 diagnosis and colonoscopy – Trump has sought to conceal or downplay any conditions that could lead to any speculation about his health. But the fragility of his skin has become so obvious that even Attorney General Pam Bondi caused his hand to bleed in July 2024 when her ring nicked him during a high-five at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Trump apparently often brings up the bloody incident to his White House aides.

People close to the president tell the WSJ that he is publicly and privately showing signs of aging. Trump gets little sleep but maintains a rigorous schedule, but says he’s always gotten by on little shut-eye. He denied to the Journal claims by aides, donors and friends saying that he struggles to hear and insisted that despite photo evidence he doesn’t fall asleep at cabinet meetings or Oval Office events. Trump’s only apparent physical activity is regularly golfing and he’s known to consume a sodium and fat-heavy diet of fast food like McDonalds and Diet Coke. He even kept his red button in the Oval Office from his first term that summons an aide to bring him a soda on command.