Donald Trump has pushed back against renewed speculation about his health, offering an unusual explanation after critics accused him of dozing off during public meetings in recent months.

Questions about Trump’s condition intensified in 2025 when observers noticed a prominent bruise on his hand—one his team appeared to conceal with heavy makeup. Around the same time, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a circulatory condition caused by damaged leg veins that don’t function properly.

The speculation grew so intense that online rumors even claimed the 47th president had died after he briefly disappeared from public view.

Despite this, Trump has repeatedly insisted he remains in peak condition, often calling himself the “healthiest president ever,” especially after saying he passed a cognitive test with top marks last year. Still, footage showing him seemingly nodding off during meetings has fueled criticism.

In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump denied sleeping, saying he was merely resting his eyes—or blinking.

“I’ll just close them. It’s very relaxing,” he said. “Sometimes they catch me blinking and take a picture right at that moment.”

Trump has frequently mocked his predecessor Joe Biden as “Sleepy Joe,” though critics argue Trump himself has appeared fatigued while on the job.

During a cabinet meeting broadcast nationwide last month, Trump claimed he was “sharper than I was 25 years ago,” yet cameras showed him appearing drowsy for much of the session that followed.

Health concerns have circulated for months, and Trump addressed them directly in the interview. He attributed the bruising on his hands to taking aspirin as a blood thinner—at a level far above standard medical recommendations.

“They say aspirin thins the bl00d,” he explained.

“I don’t want thick blood going through my heart. I want thin blood. Does that make sense?”

Trump said he takes roughly four times the typical dose, admitting the choice is partly driven by superstition. He also noted that his skin has become more fragile with age, recalling an incident at the 2024 Republican National Convention when Attorney General Pam Bondi accidentally cut his hand while high-fiving him, her ring catching his skin.