US President Donald Trump has attributed the large bruises on his hand to daily aspirin use and firmly denied suggestions that he has been falling asleep during public meetings, according to an interview published by The Wall Street Journal on Thursday.
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Defending his health, Trump, 79, said his condition was being unfairly scrutinised and insisted that he remains in excellent shape. “My health is perfect,” he told the newspaper, expressing frustration over ongoing speculation about his physical well-being during the first year of his second term in office.
Trump explained that he takes aspirin regularly to thin his blood, which he said causes bruising on his hand. He acknowledged that the marks are sometimes covered with makeup or bandages, adding that minor knocks can leave visible injuries. One such cut, he said, occurred when Attorney General Pam Bondi accidentally struck his hand with her ring during a high-five.
The president also clarified earlier comments about undergoing medical imaging in October. While he had previously told reporters he received an MRI scan, Trump told the Journal it was instead a CT scan, a shorter procedure. His physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, confirmed the scan was conducted to rule out cardiovascular issues.
Questions about Trump’s health have intensified amid visible bruising on his hand, occasional swelling in his ankles, and moments when he appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open during public events. Trump dismissed such observations, saying he does not fall asleep in meetings.
“I’ve never been a big sleeper,” he said, adding that moments caught on camera were simply instances of relaxation. “Sometimes they’ll take a picture of me blinking and say I’m asleep.”
Trump, who rarely exercises outside of playing golf and is known for his fondness for fast food, has long sought to project energy and vitality, frequently contrasting himself with former president Joe Biden, whom he often labeled as “sleepy.” Biden left office at 82, previously holding the record as the oldest US president.
