In a revealing interview with the Wall Street Journal published on Thursday, President Trump addressed concerns regarding his health, particularly in light of his age. The former president confidently declared, "My health is perfect," emphasizing his robust state as he navigates the tumultuous waters of the 2024 presidential campaign.
At 79 years old, Trump made history last year by becoming the oldest president ever to be inaugurated. Similar to the scrutiny faced by former President Biden, who is currently 83, questions about Trump's health have surfaced repeatedly. The former president has not shied away from mocking Biden's perceived frailties during his campaign. Trump's recent interview stands as one of the most comprehensive discussions about the health of a president who would, if re-elected, be the oldest sitting commander-in-chief by the end of his second term.
When discussing his health scrutiny, Trump expressed regret about undergoing advanced imaging in October, stating, "In retrospect, it's too bad I took it because it gave them a little ammunition." He referred to a cardiovascular and abdominal scan, which he believes unnecessarily raised questions about his health. "I would have been a lot better off if they didn't," he explained, reinforcing that "nothing's wrong." After initially stating he had an MRI, Trump clarified that it was actually a CT scan conducted at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a detail corroborated by his physician, Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella.
Despite earlier reports suggesting he underwent an MRI, Trump insisted it was a lesser procedure, stating, "It was a scan." In October, Barbabella noted that Trump's second medical examination included advanced imaging but did not go into specifics. Trump had previously claimed the MRI results were "perfect," further asserting his cognitive sharpness by stating, "I aced [the cognitive test]."
During the interview, Trump attributed the bruises on his hands, which had sparked rumors about his health, to his long-term use of high doses of aspirin for cardiac prevention. He noted, "What it does do is it causes bruising," while mentioning that his doctors prefer he take a lower dosage.
On the topic of sleep, Trump pushed back against images that suggested he had dozed off during work. He remarked, "Sometimes it can be very relaxing to close my eyes," and clarified that he has never been a heavy sleeper. He admitted to requesting a lighter schedule for efficiency, which he stressed was unrelated to his age.
Trump also addressed concerns about his hearing, denying any significant issues but acknowledging that he sometimes struggles to hear in crowded environments. He emphasized that he finds traditional exercise, aside from golf, to be boring and credited his vitality to strong genetics, saying, "Genetics are very important, and I have very good genetics."
In conclusion, Trump's interview sheds light on his perspective regarding health scrutiny and aging, as he seeks to maintain a strong image while navigating the complexities of a presidential campaign.