Donald Trump Responds to Aging Gaffes in Revealing New Interview, Claims His Bruises Are from Defying Doctors’ Aspirin Advice

President Donald Trump has sought to tamp down ongoing speculation about his health, responding forcefully to questions raised in a recent Wall Street Journal report examining signs of aging during his second term in office.

In the Thursday, Jan. 1 article titled “As Signs of Aging Emerge, Trump Responds With Defiance,” the 79-year-old president addressed scrutiny over recurring bruises on his hands—marks that have fueled online rumors in recent months. Trump told the WSJ that the bruising stems from taking more aspirin than his doctors recommend, a decision he attributed to superstition.

“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” Trump said. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”

According to the report, Trump’s close advisers have noticed that his skin has become more delicate. The WSJ cited an incident at the 2024 Republican National Convention in which Pam Bondi, now the attorney general, accidentally caused a small cut on Trump’s hand while high-fiving him while wearing a ring.

“The ring hit the back of my hand, and, yes, there was a slight little cut,” Trump told the newspaper. The report added that aides were briefly alarmed and that similar minor cuts have occurred on other occasions.

Trump acknowledged that he sometimes applies makeup to his hands to conceal bruises when they reappear. “I have makeup that’s, you know, easy to put on,” he said. “Takes about 10 seconds.”

When the bruising first drew attention last February—prompting speculation that Trump might be undergoing intravenous treatment—the White House attributed the marks to constant handshaking. Later, in July 2025, White House physician Sean Barbarella explained that the bruises were “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin,” which he said Trump takes as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.

The president also dismissed other health-related concerns raised in the interview. He denied having hearing problems, joking with a reporter by repeating, “I can’t hear you,” before conceding that he may struggle in particularly noisy settings.

Trump likewise rejected claims that he has fallen asleep during meetings. While acknowledging that he has “never been a big sleeper,” he said photos suggesting otherwise often capture him blinking or briefly closing his eyes. “I’ll just close [my eyes]. It’s very relaxing to me,” he said.

During the interview, Trump spoke candidly about his skepticism toward some forms of preventative healthcare. He confirmed that he was diagnosed in July with chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in people over 70 that can cause leg swelling. Though he tried compression socks, he said he disliked wearing them.

He also expressed regret over undergoing a cardiovascular and abdominal scan at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October 2025. Clarifying that the procedure was a CT scan—not an MRI as he had previously described—Trump said the test unnecessarily fueled 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.”

Barbarella said at the time that the scan was conducted to definitively rule out cardiovascular issues and showed no abnormalities.

The WSJ also noted that Trump has made few changes to his diet, which has long included fast food. Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters recalled being surprised by the president’s McDonald’s order during the campaign trail, which included multiple sandwiches and fries. Trump has also shown little enthusiasm for exercise beyond golf, calling activities like treadmill running “boring.”

Throughout the interview, Trump appeared largely unfazed—and occasionally irritated—by repeated questions about his health. “Let’s talk about health again for the 25th time,” he said. “My health is perfect.”

He ultimately credited his energy and condition to genetics, noting that his father lived to 93 and his mother to 88. “Genetics are very important,” Trump said. “And I have very good genetics.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the Wall Street Journal’s characterization of the president’s health.