Jan 1, 2026 - Health

Trump says higher aspirin dosage behind hand bruises

Rebecca Falconer

President Trump, in black tuxedo with bow tie speaking, holding hands with first lady Melania Trump in sleeveless, silver sequined dress standing in a stone building with candles on floor. — President Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive for a New Year's Eve event at their Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Fla., on Wednesday. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President Trump provided an explanation for bruises on his hand that last year sparked rumors about his health during an interview with the Wall Street Journal that was published Thursday.

Why it matters: The 79-year-old president, who's faced age-related health scrutiny, revealed that he has for years taken higher doses of aspirin for "cardiac prevention" and this "causes bruising."

Zoom in: Trump told the WSJ his doctors would rather he took a lower dose than the 325 milligrams of aspirin he takes every day, but he's "a little superstitious" so won't reduce the amount.

"They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart," Trump said.
"I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart."

Of note: The president recalled how the now-Attorney General Pam Bondi inadvertently caused his hand to bleed after her ring caught it as they high-fived at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.

He now wears makeup on his hands if he's "whacked again by someone," Trump told the WSJ.

Go deeper: 5 takeaways from Trump's defiant WSJ interview on his health

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Trump says higher aspirin dosage behind hand bruises

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