Overview
- White House physician Navy Capt. Sean Barbabella said the president takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily for cardiac prevention, a higher dose than the low-dose regimens commonly used.
- Trump attributed visible hand bruising to the aspirin, said he covers it with makeup, and refused to lower the dose after decades of use, calling himself superstitious.
- Trump and his doctor clarified that an October exam was a CT scan rather than an MRI, saying it was done to rule out cardiovascular issues and showed no abnormalities.
- Recent images show discoloration on the left hand in addition to a long‑standing right‑hand bruise, complicating earlier handshaking explanations as outside physicians describe the signs as likely benign but warn that limited disclosure fuels speculation.
- The president denied falling asleep during events and referenced a diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency behind earlier leg swelling, noting he stopped wearing compression socks and does not follow a formal exercise routine.