President Donald Trump has launched a vigorous defense of his physical and mental fitness, taking to social media on Friday to declare himself in “PERFECT” health.
The proclamation comes just a day after a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal in which the 79-year-old President pushed back against persistent scrutiny regarding his age, his energy levels, and visible physical symptoms like bruised hands. Trump, the oldest person ever elected to the presidency, insisted that what critics see as decline is simply a result of “good genetics,” high-dose aspirin, and a media obsessed with “catching the blink.”
At a Glance: The Health Defense
- The Declaration: On Friday, Trump posted that White House doctors found him in “PERFECT HEALTH” and that he “ACED” a cognitive exam (scoring 30/30) for the third time.
- The Interview: In a wide-ranging WSJ interview, Trump addressed specific health rumors, including his sleep habits and medical scans.
- The Bruised Hands: Trump attributed the visible discoloration on his hands to taking 325 mg of aspirin daily—a high dose he takes because he wants “nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.”
- The “Napping” Rumors: Trump denied falling asleep at public events, claiming photographers unfairly capture him mid-blink.
- The “MRI” Confusion: He clarified that a recent hospital visit was for a CT scan, not an MRI as he previously stated, expressing regret that the visit gave his critics “ammunition.”
‘Nice, Thin Blood’
One of the most discussed aspects of the President’s recent appearances has been the recurring dark bruises on his hands. In the interview, Trump offered a specific medical explanation: a daily regimen of 325 milligrams of aspirin.
While aspirin is a common blood thinner, 325 mg is the maximum daily recommendation, and doctors note that bruising is a known side effect. Trump’s rationale for the high dose was characteristically vivid.
“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?” — President Donald Trump
The ‘Blink’ Defense
The President also addressed the viral clips and photos that appear to show him nodding off during Cabinet meetings and other events. Trump categorically denied sleeping on the job, attributing the images to bad timing by photographers.
“Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking, blinking, and they’ll catch me with the blink.”
Despite his denial, observers have noted multiple instances in recent months – including a Cabinet meeting last month and an event on weight loss drugs in November – where the President appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open. Trump admitted in the interview that he functions on limited sleep but insisted he maintains high energy due to “good genetics.”+1
The Mystery Scan: MRI or CT?
The interview cleared up confusion regarding a hospital visit in October. At the time, Trump told reporters he had undergone an MRI, but claimed to have “no idea” what body part was scanned.
He corrected the record with the Journal, stating it was actually a CT scan designed to rule out cardiovascular issues. His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed the scan showed “absolutely no abnormalities.” However, Trump expressed frustration that he took the test at all.
“In retrospect, it’s too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition.”
Swelling and Stamina
The President also addressed the swelling in his lower legs, a condition the White House has previously identified as chronic venous insufficiency. Trump admitted he tried wearing compression socks to treat the issue but stopped because he “didn’t like them.”+1
As he enters the second year of his term, the President is clearly eager to shut down the narrative of decline. By touting a “perfect” cognitive score – referencing the Montreal Cognitive Assessment – he is attempting to turn his health from a liability back into a proof of his “stable genius” brand. Whether “nice, thin blood” and a 30/30 test score will quell the questions remains to be seen.