Trump says he takes daily aspirin, doesn't know if it works

Mixed · 2President Donald Trump, 80, said on Saturday 3 October that he takes an aspirin every day, adding that he does not know whether it works but "psychologically" needs it. 1 2 Mixed · 3The Daily Express and Daily Mirror say he made the remarks at a rally in Ohio (the Mirror specifies Vandalia), while Newsweek says he was speaking to reporters. 3 1 2 Right · 1In footage quoted by the Express, Trump said he likes Bayer aspirin and takes "the big one", saying people wanted him to go down to "the 80" while he takes "the 386", and that he has taken aspirin for about 35 years. 1

Right · 1He then said Bayer was investing $2.2 billion in a pharmaceutical manufacturing campus near Columbus, Ohio. 1 Centre · 1Newsweek reports that Trump and his doctors have told the Wall Street Journal he takes a 325-milligram aspirin daily, well above the 81-milligram low dose, and that his physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, described it as "cardiac prevention". 2 Centre · 1Trump told the WSJ in January that he wants thin blood and is "a little superstitious", and has said aspirin makes him bruise easily and that he covers the marks with makeup. 2

Left · 1The Daily Mirror, citing footage posted on X by Aaron Rupar, says he has previously said he has taken aspirin daily for 25 years and takes a higher dose than doctors advise, which he links to easy bruising. 3 Centre · 1The White House has cited aspirin use when asked about bruising on his hands; Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier this year the marks were consistent with frequent handshaking. 2 Centre · 1Newsweek notes the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against daily aspirin to prevent a first heart attack or stroke in adults 60 and older because bleeding risk often outweighs benefit, and the Mayo Clinic warns of side effects such as gastrointestinal bleeding. 2

Left · 1The Mirror adds that a daily low dose of 75mg to 81mg can lower the risk of a repeat heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease, and that excessive aspirin can cause salicylate poisoning. 3 Left · 1The Mirror says it is unclear what "386" refers to and that some have theorised it means medication for pulmonary arterial hypertension, which Trump has not confirmed he has; it also relays a lip reader's claim about comments to an officer at Marine One and viewers' remarks that he was dragging his leg. 3 Right · 1The Express says social media users reacted online, some noting he was promoting Bayer and others suggesting cognitive decline; it also cites reports of him appearing to fall asleep in meetings and having swollen hands and ankles, and psychiatrist Dr Bandy Lee's criticism of his behaviour. Trump's doctor said in May he was in "excellent health". 1

Centre · 1Newsweek said it had asked the White House for comment, and says Barbabella has maintained Trump's overall health is strong. 2