Trump’s Aspirin Habit and Its Implications

President Donald Trump has once again addressed his routine aspirin use, informing reporters that he takes it daily, acknowledging uncertainty about its effectiveness. “I take an aspirin a day. I don’t know if it works, but psychologically, I need it,” Trump stated. He added, “I don’t know if it works or not, but I’ve been doing it for a long time—and here I am.”

This statement is the latest of several comments Trump has made regarding aspirin, especially after bruising was observed on his hands, raising queries about his health and medication.

Trump’s Remarks on Aspirin

Over the past year, Trump, 80, has spoken about his aspirin intake multiple times. In discussions with The Wall Street Journal, he and his doctors have disclosed that he consumes a 325-milligram dose daily. This amount exceeds the 81-milligram “low-dose” aspirin recommended for some heart patients.

Explaining his choice in January, Trump told the WSJ: “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart.” He admitted that doctors advise a lower dose but expressed a preference for the higher dose due to habit and a “little superstitious” nature, having taken it for about 25 years.

Trump has also associated the medication with bruising on his hands, noting that aspirin makes him bruise easily. He mentioned using makeup to conceal these marks: “I have makeup that’s, you know, easy to put on, takes about 10 seconds.”

Statements from White House Doctors

Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, verified to the WSJ that Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for “cardiac prevention.” The White House repeatedly references aspirin use when responding to questions about Trump’s hand bruising. Earlier this year, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters that the marks matched frequent handshaking and that aspirin usage was part of Trump’s cardiovascular prevention plan.

Barbabella has affirmed that Trump’s overall health remains robust. Citing medical evaluations, he stated that Trump’s “excellent metabolic health” contributes to cardiovascular conditions testing younger than his chronological age.

Expert Opinions on Daily Aspirin Use

Aspirin functions by thinning the blood and decreasing blood platelets’ ability to form clots. While beneficial in preventing heart attacks and strokes for some, it can increase bleeding risks for others. Recent medical advice has shifted, discouraging daily aspirin use for many older adults without previous cardiovascular events. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises against daily aspirin for preventing a first heart attack or stroke in adults 60 and older because of bleeding risks.

The Mayo Clinic similarly warns that daily aspirin therapy isn’t suitable for all, with potential side effects like gastrointestinal bleeding. The organization emphasizes the benefits of “secondary prevention” for those with a history of heart attack or stroke, while the benefit remains contested for primary prevention.

Significance of the Discussion

Trump’s remarks emerge as public interest in his health persists, given his age and position as the oldest U.S. president at inauguration. For many Americans, the conclusion is that aspirin is not a universal preventive solution. Deciding on daily aspirin and its dosage should consider individual medical history, cardiovascular risk, and bleeding potential.

Newsweek has contacted the White House for further statements.