In a revealing new interview, former US President Donald Trump has opened up about his personal approach to health and fitness, dismissing conventional exercise as "boring" while relying on golf and his own beliefs.
Golf Over Gym: Trump's Fitness Philosophy
Addressing questions about his health ahead of his 80th birthday in June, Trump told The Wall Street Journal that he finds typical workouts unappealing. "I just don't like it. It's boring," he stated, specifically calling out activities like walking or running on a treadmill for hours. Instead, he maintains that his primary form of physical activity is playing golf.
The former President, who regularly plays at courses he owns in Florida, New Jersey, and Virginia, reiterated a point he made in a 2020 tweet. "My 'exercise' is playing, almost never during the week, a quick round of golf," he said. Trump attributed his well-being to "very good genetics" that he believes shield him from common age-related health problems, though he acknowledged occasionally going against medical advice.
Defying Doctors: Socks, Scans, and Superstition
Trump provided specific examples of where his personal preferences have overridden professional recommendations. He disclosed that he stopped wearing compression socks, which were prescribed last year to treat chronic venous insufficiency—a blood-flow condition that caused swelling in his legs and ankles. "I didn't like them," he simply stated, despite experts warning such socks help prevent serious complications like blood clots.
In a notable clarification, Trump and his physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, told the Journal that the scan he underwent during an October physical was a less-intensive CT scan, not an MRI, to assess his cardiovascular health. This corrects previous references by Trump and his aides that had fueled months of speculation.
Further delving into his health regimen, Dr. Barbabella revealed Trump takes a 325-milligram daily aspirin for heart health, a dose higher than the commonly recommended 81 milligrams. Trump explained this choice is partly driven by personal belief. "I'm a little superstitious," he said. "They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?" he asked the interviewer.
An Alternative Approach to Wellness
As a substitute for the compression socks, Trump said he has opted to walk more and limit long periods of sitting behind the Resolute Desk, allowing his leg muscles to help pump blood back to his heart. This candid interview paints a picture of a man who, at 80, prioritizes his own instincts and preferred activities like golf over standard medical and fitness protocols, placing significant trust in his genetic fortune.
