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President Donald Trump admitted that he takes a daily dose of aspirin higher than what his doctors recommend, a practice that, as he himself acknowledged, is behind the visible bruises on his hands and has once again brought his health status to the center of public debate.
In an extensive interview given to The Wall Street Journal and published on Thursday, Trump explained that he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin a day, compared to the 75 to 100 milligrams typically recommended as a low dose for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes.
"They say that aspirin is good for thinning the blood, and I don’t want thick blood flowing through my heart. I want nice, thin blood flowing through my heart," he said.
The president added that his doctors would prefer he take a lower dose, but he has maintained the highest one "for years," which causes bruising.
The White House physician, Navy Captain Sean Barbabella, confirmed that the president takes 325 milligrams daily and stated that Trump "continues to enjoy exceptional health."
In a statement sent to CNN, Barbabella stated that the medical assessments and lab results indicate "excellent metabolic health" and that his cardiovascular condition places him "14 years below his chronological age," concluding that he is "perfectly fit" to serve as commander in chief.
However, external experts have expressed doubts.
The bruises on Trump's hands, visible for months on his right hand and now also on his left, have drawn attention due to the thick makeup and bandages that the president has attempted to use to cover them, as well as his gestures to hide them from the cameras.
The White House has attributed these marks to frequent handshakes and regular use of aspirin.
Trump, for his part, explained that some recent bruises appeared after he hurt himself when Attorney General Pam Bondi hit his hand with her ring, and he acknowledged that he considers himself "a little superstitious" and is reluctant to reduce the dose of aspirin he has been taking for 25 years.
The interview also shed light on the medical studies the president underwent in October at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
At first, Trump had said it was an MRI, but he has now clarified that it was actually a CT scan. "It wasn't an MRI. It was less than that. It was a scan," he stated.
Barbabella explained that the tomography was performed to "definitively rule out any cardiovascular problems" and that the results were "perfectly normal," with no abnormalities revealed.
The president expressed regret for having undergone these studies because, as he said, it "gave some ammunition" to those who question his health.
"It would have been much better if they hadn't done it, because the fact that I did it said: 'Oh, dear, is something wrong?' Well, there is nothing wrong," he stated.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, defended the government's transparency and stated that the president himself has disclosed additional details "because he has nothing to hide."
The questions about Trump's health have intensified this year, partly because he is the oldest president to take office. In addition to the bruises, observers have noted the persistent swelling in his ankles and legs.
The White House reported in July that the president suffers from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition commonly found in older adults that causes blood to accumulate in the lower extremities. He stated that he tried wearing compression stockings but stopped because he "didn't like them."
It has also come under scrutiny for seeming to close its eyes or doze off during public events.
The president rejected that interpretation and stated that he simply closes his eyes because it is "very relaxing," and that sometimes the cameras catch him right at the moment of blinking.
He also downplayed any hearing issues, stating that he only has difficulties "when there are many people talking," and attributed his energy level to his "very good genes."
The debate takes on a political hue, as Trump has repeatedly questioned the fitness of his predecessor, Joe Biden, to hold office, in a context where he has also been criticized for the lack of transparency from the White House regarding his own health.
In his own words, Trump has sought to put an end to the controversy by insisting that his health "is perfect," but the combination of visible bruises, amended medical studies, and a regimen of aspirin exceeding the recommended amount continues to fuel doubts about the physical condition of the man who, at 79 years old, occupies the Oval Office.
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