President Donald Trump addressed health concerns in an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published Jan. 1 as the issue gains more attention.
The oldest man to assume the presidency at 78 years old, Trump’s health has been a focus of scrutiny during his administration. In 2025, the president disclosed that he underwent MRI testing and reporters and social media users alike have pointed out bruising on his hand and swollen ankles. Trump addressed the concerns in an interview with the WSJ, which reported that individuals close to him have noticed signs of aging both in public and private. (RELATED: White House Gives Health Update On President Trump)
“Let’s talk about health again for the 25th time,” Trump said in an unscheduled interview with the WSJ after the outlet had shared details of their investigation into the president’s health with the White House. “My health is perfect.”
U.S. President Donald Trump wears adhesive bandages on the back of his hand during a meeting of his cabinet in the Cabinet Room of the White House on December 02, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The president said he actually did not get an MRI in October but instead underwent a CT scan during his interview with the WSJ. The president’s doctors told him they would do one or the other and later decided on the CT scan, Trump’s physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabela, said in a statement. The scan was in order “to definitively rule out any cardiovascular issues,” which it did since it came back normal, according to the physician.
“It wasn’t an MRI,” Trump told the WSJ. “It was less than that. It was a scan.”
As for the bruising on his hand, which is occasionally covered with a bandage or makeup, the president told the outlet that he takes a large daily dose of aspirin that contributes to the issue. He takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, according to the president’s physician, for “cardiac prevention.” Trump said his doctors have encouraged him to lower his dosage.
“I’m a little superstitious,” Trump said of the medicine he has been taking for 25 years.
Swollen ankles at the World Cup
Bruised hand at today’s press availability.Is the Trump administration hiding the President’s health?
Where is @jaketapper? pic.twitter.com/SRo0bpJReK
— Maine (@TheMaineWonk) July 15, 2025
“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” the president told the outlet. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
The president’s skin has become delicate, according to the WSJ, who heard from aides who have noticed such. At the July 2024 Republican National Convention, Trump’s now Attorney General Pam Bondi nicked the president’s skin with her ring, giving him a high-five, the outlet reported. According to aides, his hand has been cut on several occasions.
Social media users have often pointed out photos of Trump with swollen legs and ankles. In July, ultrasounds of the president’s veins showed “chronic venous insufficiency,” a memo said. The president’s doctor told the WSJ that Trump’s condition is “superficial chronic venous insufficiency,” which is tied to the smaller veins and can be treated. The vein condition is common among older people.
Trump said he briefly used compression socks to help his condition and has started walking around more frequently, the WSJ reported.
“I didn’t like them,” Trump told the outlet about the socks.
When the WSJ asked the president about signs that his hearing was declining, the president started joking around.
“I can’t hear you. I can’t hear you. I can’t hear a word you’re saying,” Trump told the outlet in a sarcastic tone. He added that he only struggles to hear “when there’s a lot of people talking.”
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