Picture courtesy of SCMP

US President Donald Trump has attributed noticeable bruising on his hand to the effects of daily aspirin use while firmly denying any instances of falling asleep in public meetings. This all unfolded in a candid interview with The Wall Street Journal, where Trump discussed his health amid increasing scrutiny during his second term. Trump, at 79, remains the oldest person to assume the US presidency, countering critics with the declaration that "my health is perfect."

Trump has cultivated a robust public persona, characterised by frequent media interactions and social media engagements. Nevertheless, his first year back in office has been marked by rising queries regarding his physical condition. Evident bruises on his right hand, often concealed by makeup or bandages, and occasional signs of fatigue during meetings have captured the public's attention. As he surpasses Joe Biden’s age at the end of his tenure, Trump steps up to be the oldest sitting president, sparking further curiosity about his health regime.

During the interview, Trump explained that his daily consumption of aspirin, taken to thin his blood, is the cause of the bruising. He explained how the application of makeup or bandages is a routine to manage how his hand appears in public. Trump recounted an incident where the bruising was attributed to an accidental knock from Pam Bondi, his attorney general, who inadvertently hit him with her ring.

Health explanations from Trump have varied, with initial claims to reporters of undergoing an MRI scan later revised. Trump clarified in the interview that instead of an MRI, a shorter CT scan was performed to check his cardiovascular health. This clarification was corroborated by his doctor, Sean Barbabella, confirming the use of a CT scan and emphasising that no significant health issues emerged from the checks.

Rebuffing claims of falling asleep during public engagements, Trump asserted that he is not one for extensive sleeping and any footage suggesting otherwise is simply him appearing relaxed. He reasoned that photos capturing him with closed eyes misrepresent moments where he’s merely blinking or closing his eyes briefly, reported AFP.

Key Takeaways

• Trump credits aspirin with causing hand bruises and deflecting health worries.

• Health scan discrepancies were clarified; the confirmed CT scan shows no major issues.

• Denies public sleeping, attributing it to simple relaxation or blinking.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from AFP | France 24 2026-01-02

 

 

The man is incapable of telling the truth, no matter what the subject

He said aspirin and his press secretary said its handshake and I said both are lying their axxxx off.

555

He's just old. Combine that with a lifetime of an unhealthy lifestyle--terrible diet, no exercise except for being hauled around in a golf cart, and nothing to keep him mentally alert, such as reading or engaging with abstract thinking--and you have a walking health time bomb.

He's accurate there, especially if taking aspirin & an anti clotting drug. After stent placement, they gave both to me and easy to get a large bruise.

Locked myself out of the house, and had squeeze though a small window, and I do mean squeeze. My whole one side was bruised, and looked like I got hit full on by a Kenworth. Took a while to disappear also.

Age has something to do with it also, As skin does bruise easily, and if broken, takes a bit longer heal. That's without the drugs.

My wife has been taking a daily aspirin tablet for the last 10 years.

She doesn't show any extra bruises.

Of course his hand has 'stent' bruising. They keep sticking him because he is NOT HEALTHY. There is no other reason.

It's not Biden's fault this time?

Trolling meme removed @NickyLouie

6 hours ago, candide said:

It's not Biden's fault this time?

Wait . . .

I don't buy the aspirin excuse, I would think his doctors could come up with something better. The daily low-dose aspirin thing was debunked in recent years.

Even in his first term there was an ambulance parked full-time at the WH.

Maybe from drinking BLEACH

Aspirin decreases the ability of tiny cell fragments in the blood, called platelets, from clumping together and forming clots. ... it can make you bleed a little more easily, including the below-the-skin bleeding seen in bruises.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/aspirin-and-bruising

7 hours ago, bendejo said:

Wait . . .

I don't buy the aspirin excuse, I would think his doctors could come up with something better. The daily low-dose aspirin thing was debunked in recent years.

Even in his first term there was an ambulance parked full-time at the WH.

There has always been at least one ambulance parked at the WH, even from the time when they were horse drawn.

If you repeatedly have needles stuck into your hand, it makes a bruise. But the only reasons to have needles stuck into your hand is for medicine delivery or examination. The only reason to repeatedly take medicine or undergo examinations is if one isn't healthy.

They don't do it for fun.

True, aspirin can cause subcutaneous bleeding. As a heart patient, this happens with me taking only the "baby aspirin - 81 mg). trump has stated he takes a heavier aspirin dose so more bleeding possible. AND, gee "Dozing donnie" you are also telling us you have blood circulation issues ... duh!

He is clearly getting IV treatment of some kind, and the bruisings are a result of that. First it was just on his right hand, but apparently they couldn’t find a vein there anymore, so they had to switch to his left hand.

On 1/2/2026 at 1:10 PM, KhunLA said:

He's accurate there, especially if taking aspirin & an anti clotting drug. After stent placement, they gave both to me and easy to get a large bruise.

Locked myself out of the house, and had squeeze though a small window, and I do mean squeeze. My whole one side was bruised, and looked like I got hit full on by a Kenworth. Took a while to disappear also.

Age has something to do with it also, As skin does bruise easily, and if broken, takes a bit longer heal. That's without the drugs.

Purpura ....... just from his age and skin colouring.

I have it, slightest knock on my forearm or back of my hand causes unsightly bruising.

No cure, you just have to live with it until you die.

Doctor says, wear long sleeve shirts or makeup to cover the effects.

https://www.heightsskin.com/actinic-purpura#:~:text=Actinic%20purpura%20is%20most%20frequently,fading%20to%20a%20brownish%20tint.

It's possible that having his hand near ladies' rings is a skill learned in his younger days with Epstein.

11 hours ago, bendejo said:

The daily low-dose aspirin thing was debunked in recent years.

Not by my cardiologists

On 1/2/2026 at 7:10 AM, KhunLA said:

He's accurate there, especially if taking aspirin & an anti clotting drug. After stent placement, they gave both to me and easy to get a large bruise.

Locked myself out of the house, and had squeeze though a small window, and I do mean squeeze. My whole one side was bruised, and looked like I got hit full on by a Kenworth. Took a while to disappear also.

Age has something to do with it also, As skin does bruise easily, and if broken, takes a bit longer heal. That's without the drugs.

I have plenty bruises due to my heart tablets., I’ve been assured it’s quite normal.

6 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Purpura ....... just from his age and skin colouring.

I have it, slightest knock on my forearm or back of my hand causes unsightly bruising.

Sorry to hear that....and there was I all these years thinking you were the cute chick in your avatar.

15 hours ago, Celsius said:

Maybe from drinking BLEACH

I wish he would

On 1/2/2026 at 1:13 PM, FolkGuitar said:

My wife has been taking a daily aspirin tablet for the last 10 years.

She doesn't show any extra bruises.

Of course his hand has 'stent' bruising. They keep sticking him because he is NOT HEALTHY. There is no other reason.

The thing is Trump is taking 4 times the recommended dose. To his way of thinking if a little bit is good, more is better. Of course, the concept of excess has always been difficult for Trump to come to grips with.

15 hours ago, dinsdale said:

Aspirin decreases the ability of tiny cell fragments in the blood, called platelets, from clumping together and forming clots. ... it can make you bleed a little more easily, including the below-the-skin bleeding seen in bruises.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/aspirin-and-bruising

To repeat: The thing is Trump is taking 4 times the recommended dose. To his way of thinking if a little bit is good, more is better. Of course, the concept of excess has always been difficult for Trump to come to grips with.

19 hours ago, Wrwest said:

As a heart patient, this happens with me taking only the "baby aspirin - 81 mg).

It has become so popular in the US they made it a separate product from baby aspirin.