In a recent interview focused on health and ageing, Donald Trump appeared unable to immediately recall that his late father had Alzheimer’s disease.
Speculation about the 79-year-old president’s health has circulated online for some time, with users commenting on visible bruising on his hand, swelling in his ankles, and his posture in photographs. Last year, Trump also drew attention when he described a dementia screening test as a “very hard” IQ exam.
There is a known history of Alzheimer’s disease in the Trump family. His father, Frederick Trump, lived with the condition during the final years of his life before passing away in 1999.
During a conversation with New York Magazine, Trump addressed questions about his own health and warned the publication against printing what he called a negative story, saying he would pursue legal action if they did.
When the discussion turned to his father, Trump said Fred Trump began experiencing cognitive decline in his late 80s but momentarily struggled to name the illness.
According to the magazine, he then looked to his press secretary for clarification, who supplied the word “Alzheimer’s.” Trump referred to it briefly as an “Alzheimer’s thing” and emphasized that he does not believe he has the condition himself.
Trump added that he does not dwell on the issue, stating that his outlook and genetics give him confidence. He pointed to his mother’s side of the family, noting their long lifespans and lack of serious heart disease, and said genetics play a decisive role in health.
He also defended his long-standing use of bl00d-thinning medication.
Trump has said he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily—higher than the low-dose amount sometimes recommended by doctors—because he wants to avoid what he described as “thick blood.” Reporting by the BBC has noted this dosage.
Medical guidance from institutions such as the Mayo Clinic says low-dose aspirin can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, while also warning that bleeding risks increase with age. Despite this, Trump has said he is reluctant to change his routine, explaining that he is “a little superstitious” after following it for many years.
