Trump WSJ interview details CT scan, aspirin use and denies age‑related health issues
In a Wall Street Journal interview, Trump defended his health and energy and said the October advanced imaging was a CT scan — which he now regrets because it "gave them a little ammunition" — a detail his physician Capt. Sean Barbabella confirmed. He attributed bruises on his hand to taking a higher‑dose aspirin for cardiac prevention (despite doctors preferring a lower dose), denied age‑related hearing or sleep problems — saying photographers sometimes catch him mid‑blink and that schedule reductions were for "efficiency" — and pointed to genetics and his parents' longevity in calling his health "perfect."
📌 Key Facts
- Trump says he regrets having the October advanced imaging because it "gave them a little ammunition," framing the test as politically problematic, and confirms the exam was a CT scan (not an MRI); his physician, Capt. Sean Barbabella, concurs.
- He describes the CT as "less than" an MRI and refers to it simply as "a scan."
- Trump attributes visible bruises on his hand to years of taking a higher‑dose aspirin for "cardiac prevention," saying doctors prefer a lower dose but he has continued the larger one and that it "causes bruising."
- He pushes back on images suggesting he was falling asleep at events, saying photographers sometimes capture him mid‑blink and that closing his eyes can be "very relaxing," while insisting he has "never been a big sleeper" and that recent reductions in his schedule were for "efficiency," not because of age.
- Trump denies having general hearing problems, saying he only struggles when "there's a lot of people talking," and emphasizes his genetics and his parents’ longevity as evidence that his "health is perfect."
📊 Relevant Data
The dementia risk in the United States is 4% by age 75 and 20% by age 85, with the majority of the risk occurring after 85.
Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States — NIH
Approximately 65.3% of adults aged 71 years and older in the United States have at least some degree of hearing loss.
Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 71 Years and Older, 2021 — JAMA Network Open
Long-term daily aspirin use in people aged 75 or over is linked to a higher risk of disabling or fatal bleeding.
Long-term aspirin use linked to bleeding risk in over 75s — University of Oxford
Older adults aged 65 and older need 7-9 hours of sleep per night, similar to younger adults, though sleep patterns may change with age.
Sleep and Older Adults — National Institute on Aging - NIH
Genetic factors, including variants in genes like APOE and FOXO3, contribute to longevity and health in the elderly.
📰 Sources (2)
- Trump, in a Wall Street Journal interview, explicitly says he now regrets having the October advanced imaging because it 'gave them a little ammunition,' framing the test itself as politically problematic.
- He confirms to the WSJ that the October exam involved a CT scan, not an MRI, and his physician Capt. Sean Barbabella concurs, with Trump calling it 'less than' an MRI and 'a scan.'
- Trump attributes visible bruises on his hand to years of taking a higher‑dose aspirin for 'cardiac prevention,' saying doctors prefer he take a lower dose but he has continued the larger one and that it 'causes bruising.'
- He pushes back on images suggesting he was falling asleep during events, saying photographers sometimes capture him mid‑blink and that closing his eyes can be 'very relaxing,' while insisting he is 'never been a big sleeper' and that recent schedule reductions were for 'efficiency' rather than age.
- Trump denies having hearing issues generally, stating he only struggles when 'there's a lot of people talking,' and emphasizes genetics and his parents’ longevity as reasons his 'health is perfect.'