In a conversation inside the Oval Office, President Donald Trump responded to queries about his father Fred Trump’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He briefly had trouble remembering the name of the illness until White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt assisted him.
On January 27, 2026, the 79-year-old president talked about his health with New York Magazine. Discussing his late father, who passed away at 93 in 1999, Trump mentioned that Fred was blessed with a strong heart and had virtually no health issues besides one that surfaced in his later years.
“Around the age of 86 or 87, he started having, what’s the term for it?” Trump questioned, gesturing toward his forehead and glancing in Leavitt’s direction, who was in the room for the interview.
“Alzheimer’s,” Leavitt answered.
Trump proceeded, stating he does not have the disease.
This interaction garnered attention due to the interview’s focus on dispelling rumors about the president’s physical and mental condition. Trump, who was 78 when inaugurated and will be 80 on June 14, 2026, is among the oldest presidents to hold office.
When questioned if he worries about the potential of developing Alzheimer’s, considering his family history, Trump dismissed the thought outright. He said he doesn’t contemplate it, adding that his philosophy is to let whatever happens, happen.
A progressive neurological disorder, Alzheimer’s disease erodes memory and cognitive abilities. Medical experts estimate that around six million Americans over 65 live with this condition. It typically starts with mild memory loss and can eventually result in the inability to engage in conversations or respond to surroundings.
Mary Trump, the president’s 60-year-old niece, presented a differing view to HuffPost. She said her uncle sometimes exhibits a startled look that reminds her of her grandfather’s demeanor during his decline. According to Mary, Trump occasionally seems confused and not aware of his surroundings.
In the interview, Trump persistently stressed his claims of excellent health. He was accompanied in the Oval Office by two health care providers from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, including Colonel James Jones, a physician’s assistant. Trump directly asked Jones to verify his health status during the interview.
Jones confirmed that Trump’s health is in excellent shape.
Trump told the magazine that he feels the same as he did four decades ago. He claimed to have taken three cognitive tests, all of which he passed with flying colors.
Public scrutiny of Trump’s health has ratcheted up recently, especially regarding noticeable bruising on both his hands. The bruising on his right hand has been photographed multiple times over the past year. At Davos, Switzerland, his left hand also showed bruising.
Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s doctor, linked the bruising to the president’s daily aspirin regimen and his frequent handshaking. Trump takes a daily dose of 325 milligrams of aspirin, a practice he’s kept up for three decades. The president stated his doctors don’t endorse this dosage, but it works for him, and he doesn’t want to alter anything now that he’s in the Oval Office.
Medical imaging was another discussion point when Trump clarified a past medical visit. Jones informed the magazine that Trump had a CT scan of his chest and abdomen, not an MRI as was initially reported. Trump interjected, stating there was no specific reason for the scan other than the machine being accessible.
Jones clarified that the imaging is standard for any patient of Trump’s age and serves to rule out potential issues. He confirmed that the results showed no problems.
The White House also announced that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory disorder that occurs when leg veins are damaged, causing blood to pool, leading to swelling. This condition could explain some of the visible symptoms that observers have noticed.
Trump’s alertness during meetings also raised questions. The president seemed to nod off during a Cabinet meeting in December, even though officials insisted he was actively listening. Trump offered a different explanation, telling Newsweek that the meeting was “boring as hell”. He admitted having to sit through long meetings, and he moves his hand so people know he’s listening, even though he can’t wait to leave.
The president’s last official physical examination listed his weight at 224 pounds. However, Trump told the magazine he currently weighs approximately 235 pounds. Despite questions about his health, Trump has consistently maintained that he is in perfect physical condition.
Stephen Miller, who participated in discussions about the president’s health, proposed that any article headline should highlight the “superhuman president”. Other members of the administration have echoed similar sentiments, with some asserting that Trump works harder now than at any point in his life, including during his real estate career years.
The disparity between Trump’s self-evaluation and external observations has reignited the debate over presidential health transparency. This issue has become particularly pertinent, given concerns about former President Joe Biden’s mental fitness during his tenure, making health and fitness issues a particularly sensitive subject for any incumbent president.
Trump’s health discussion comes as he grapples with the physical requirements of the presidency at an age when many Americans have retired. The combination of his family medical history, visible symptoms, and public speculation has sustained interest in the president’s physical condition and his capacity to perform the duties of office.
