Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Trump Defends Daily Aspirin Dose, Citing Psychological Reassurance
Donald Trump says he takes a large aspirin every day.
He says the routine makes him feel reassured, even though he is not sure it works.
He says doctors have suggested a smaller dose, but he does not want to change.
His doctor reported that Trump takes 325 milligrams a day.
Trump has connected the aspirin to bruises on his hands.
Aspirin can make blood platelets less likely to clump and form clots.
But it can also make bleeding harder to stop.
The articles say people should talk with a healthcare professional before starting or changing daily aspirin.
Donald Trump said he takes a large aspirin daily because he feels he needs it psychologically, although he is unsure whether it works.
Trump said doctors want him to switch to a smaller dose, but he plans to continue his long-standing routine.
His physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, told The Wall Street Journal that Trump takes 325 milligrams daily.
Trump has linked the dose to bruising on his hands; he also said a bruise after the World Economic Forum in Davos followed a bump against a table.
The articles explain that aspirin can reduce clotting but raise bleeding risk; guidance on daily use depends on a person's medical history and risk.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump; his physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella; and doctors who have advised a smaller dose.
- What
- Trump defended taking a large daily aspirin dose, while the articles discussed its potential benefits and bleeding risks.
- When
- Trump said he had taken aspirin for 35 years; the News18 article was published October 6, 2026.
- Where
- Trump made remarks at an event in Ohio; bruising was also discussed in connection with his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
- Why
- Trump said he takes aspirin for psychological reassurance and believes it thins his blood.
Trump's position
Medical guidance described
Dose and continuing the routine
Trump's position
Trump said he prefers the larger tablet, feels psychologically reassured by taking it, and does not want to reduce the dose.
Medical guidance described
Trump said doctors want him to take a smaller dose; his physician reported a daily dose of 325 milligrams.
Daily aspirin for prevention
Trump's position
Trump said he believes aspirin thins his blood and has continued taking it for decades.
Medical guidance described
The articles say aspirin can help prevent further clot-related events for some people with established cardiovascular disease, but routine use for primary prevention requires weighing potential benefits against bleeding risks.
- Reported daily dose
- Trump's physician told The Wall Street Journal that he takes 325 milligrams daily.
- Trump's stated reason
- He said he needs the routine psychologically, while acknowledging he does not know whether it works.
- Duration
- Trump said he had been taking aspirin for 35 years; one article described the higher-dose habit as lasting more than 25 years.
- Smaller dose discussed
- Trump said doctors wanted him to take a smaller tablet; the articles mention 80 milligrams and a commonly recommended 81-milligram low dose.
- Mayo Clinic dose ranges
- The article says low-dose aspirin ranges from 75 to 100 milligrams and daily aspirin therapy is usually 75 to 325 milligrams.
- Potential effect
- At low doses, aspirin reduces platelet stickiness, which can lower the risk of certain clot-related heart attacks and ischemic strokes.
- Main risk
- Aspirin can increase bleeding risk, including bleeding in the stomach or intestines and, more rarely, serious internal bleeding.
- Primary prevention guidance
- The News18 article says US Preventive Services Task Force guidance recommends against starting aspirin for primary prevention in adults aged 60 and older.
