United States President Donald Trump has attributed the recurring bruises seen on his hand to regular aspirin use and has rejected suggestions that he falls asleep during official engagements.
Speaking in an interview published on Thursday, January 1, the president defended his physical condition, describing his health as “perfect” while expressing displeasure over what he called persistent scrutiny of his wellbeing. He also clarified an earlier statement concerning a medical scan carried out in October, noting that it was a CT scan and not an MRI as previously stated.
At 79, Trump is the oldest individual to assume the office of US president. He has consistently projected an image of vigour through frequent public appearances, active social media engagement and the circulation of AI-generated images depicting him in heroic roles. However, renewed attention has been placed on his health during the first year of his second term.
Bruising has been repeatedly observed on the president’s right hand, sometimes covered with makeup or bandages, while occasional swelling around his ankles has also been noted. He has further faced criticism following instances where he appeared to struggle to keep his eyes open during public events, including a televised Oval Office meeting with health officials in November.
The issue has attracted wider attention given Trump’s past criticism of his predecessor, Joe Biden, whom he often labelled as “sleepy.” Biden left office at the age of 82, making him the oldest president in US history, a record Trump is expected to surpass during his current tenure.
Addressing the bruising, Trump said it was the result of taking aspirin daily to thin his blood, explaining that minor knocks easily leave marks on his hand.
“I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he said, adding that he uses bandages or makeup when his hand is bruised. He also claimed that one of the cuts on his hand occurred after his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, accidentally struck it with her ring during a high-five.
Trump also acknowledged confusion surrounding his medical scans, admitting that he had earlier misidentified the test as an MRI. His physician later confirmed that the CT scan was conducted as a precaution to rule out cardiovascular concerns.
Dismissing claims that he falls asleep during meetings, the president said he is not a heavy sleeper and argued that such interpretations are misleading.
“I’ll just close my eyes. It’s very relaxing to me,” he said, adding that photographs suggesting otherwise often capture him blinking at the wrong moment.
