The Wall Street Journal published an extensive report on President Donald Trump’s health that included the president’s own comments. Key takeaways: he says formal exercise is "boring" and relies mainly on golf; a high-five once nicked his hand; he has taken a large daily aspirin dose for decades despite doctors’ advice; he frequently has trouble sleeping and texts aides late at night; and he continues to insist his health is "perfect," crediting genetics.
5 Revealing Takeaways From The Wall Street Journal’s Deep Dive Into President Trump’s Health
The Wall Street Journal published an in-depth report examining President Donald Trump’s health and included direct comments from the 79-year-old president. Below are five clear takeaways from the Journal’s reporting and the president’s responses, presented with added context and cleaned language for clarity.
1. Exercise Is "Boring"
Trump told the Journal that he does not enjoy formal exercise. "I just don't like it. It's boring," he said, explaining that long treadmill sessions are not for him. The Journal notes that apart from golf, the president does not follow a regular workout routine and typically eats a diet that leans toward salty, fatty foods such as hamburgers and french fries.
2. A High-Five Left His Hand Bleeding
The Journal recounts an episode at the Republican National Convention in which Pam Bondi, later his attorney general, accidentally nicked the back of his hand with a ring while giving a high-five. Witnesses were reportedly alarmed; the Journal described it as one of several occasions when his skin has been cut. Trump acknowledged the incident:
"The ring hit the back of my hand, and, yes, there was a slight little cut."
3. He Keeps Taking A Large Dose Of Aspirin
According to the reporting, Trump has taken a relatively large daily dose of aspirin for about 25 years despite doctors' recommendations to reduce it. He told the Journal that the higher dose makes him bruise easily, but he has been reluctant to change the regimen out of habit. He characterized the choice as partly superstitious:
"I'm a little superstitious. 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."
4. Sleepless Nights And Late-Night Texts
The piece describes ongoing sleep difficulties. By his own account, Trump often texts and calls aides at 2 a.m. or later, sometimes after watching Fox News in the early hours. The Journal also reports that on long flights aboard Air Force One, advisers take turns staying awake at his side so others can rest. Trump pushed back on media suggestions that he falls asleep during public events, saying photographers sometimes simply capture him blinking.
5. He Presents Himself As Unfazed
Throughout the interview, Trump projected confidence about his health, declaring, "My health is perfect," and attributing much of his energy to family genetics. The Journal also noted he has stopped wearing compression socks he briefly used to manage chronic venous insufficiency, saying he did not like them.
Reporting Note: This summary preserves the Journal's reported facts and Trump’s direct quotations while tightening language and clarifying key details for readability.
