Former US President Donald Trump has for the first time directly addressed the widespread speculation about his potential use of popular weight-loss medications, stating he has never taken them but humorously conceding he perhaps ought to.
Trump's Personal Disclosure on 'The Fat Drug'
In a candid conversation with The New York Times on Wednesday, Trump was asked point-blank if he had ever used GLP-1 agonist drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy. His response was clear: "No, I have not," he said, before adding with a note of self-awareness, "I probably should."
This marks a significant moment, as the former president had previously only joked about friends and staff using what he terms "the fat drug," without ever confirming or denying his own involvement with the new class of obesity treatments that have taken America by storm.
The Health and Policy Backdrop
Trump's weight has been a topic of public discussion for years. Official records show that in 2020, during his first term, he weighed 244 pounds, which is classified as obese for his 6-foot-3 height. More recently, at his April 2025 physical, the White House physician reported his weight had dropped to 224 pounds, moving him into the "overweight" category. This 20-pound loss occurred without any explanation of medical aid, fueling curiosity about whether he had joined millions of Americans in using pharmaceutical aids for weight management.
His personal revelation intersects directly with a key policy push from his administration. Months earlier, the Trump administration announced a deal aimed at dramatically slashing the cost of popular prescription drugs, including obesity treatments, potentially bringing monthly prices down to around $149.
A Public Spectacle and a Cultural Shift
The issue was thrust into the political spotlight during an Oval Office event promoting this very drug pricing deal. In a moment that blended policy and personal banter, Trump publicly quizzed his aides. He asked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick if he was on the medication, to which Lutnick replied, "Not yet." Trump responded with an approving, "OK, good."
He then noted that CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz was not taking it either, before jokingly pointing out that White House communications director Steven Cheung was. Cheung did not comment on the remark at the time.
Trump's comments underscore a major cultural shift. Weight-loss drugs have evolved from private health matters to mainstream topics of conversation, even at the highest levels of US politics. By stating he hasn't used them but "probably should," Trump positions himself as both an observer and a potential future user, mirroring the complex dialogue the nation is having about health, body image, and the role of medication.
The discussion around these drugs now sits at a powerful crossroads, touching on heated debates about healthcare costs, insurance coverage, and government intervention in the pharmaceutical market, making Trump's personal take a notable data point in an ongoing national conversation.
