Trump Says Aspirin Use Caused Bruise on His Hand

BY MIRABEL ODETA

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that a visible bruise on his left hand was the result of his heavy use of aspirin, dismissing speculation about his health and insisting he remains in strong condition.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One while returning to the United States, Trump explained that the bruise appeared after he accidentally bumped his hand on a table during events surrounding the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

According to Trump, his daily aspirin intake makes him more prone to bruising, even from minor contact. He said doctors have long warned him about the side effects but that he prefers to err on the side of caution when it comes to his heart health. “They say take aspirin if you like your heart, but don’t take aspirin if you don’t want to have a little bruising,” Trump remarked. “I take the big aspirin.”

Trump added that his physician had told him the medication was not strictly necessary, citing his overall good health, but the president said he was unwilling to take risks. “The doctor said, ‘You don’t have to take that, sir. You’re very healthy,’” Trump recalled. “I said, ‘I’m not taking any chances.’”

The White House also addressed the issue, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that Trump struck his hand on the corner of a signing table during a recent Board of Peace announcement. She emphasized that the bruise was minor and not a cause for concern.

Medical experts note that aspirin can thin the blood and make bruising more likely, particularly in older adults or those taking higher-than-recommended doses. Trump acknowledged in an interview earlier this month that he takes more aspirin daily than his doctors advise, saying he prefers having what he described as “nice, thin blood” flowing through his heart.

This is not the first time Trump has commented on bruising on his hands. Last summer, Leavitt told reporters that similar marks were caused by the president shaking large numbers of hands during public appearances.

At 79, Trump is the second-oldest individual to serve as U.S. president, behind his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, who left office at age 82 after deciding not to seek reelection amid ongoing questions about his fitness. Trump has repeatedly pushed back against scrutiny of his age and health, saying he feels energetic and capable of handling the demands of the presidency.