Trump Defends 'Monster' Aspirin Dose, Says He Needs It 'Psychologically' After 35 Years

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to take a high-dose aspirin every day, saying he needs it “psychologically” and has been taking it for decades despite doctors reportedly advising him to switch to a lower dose.

“I take an aspirin a day. I don’t know if it works but psychologically I need it,” Trump said. He added that he takes the “big one”, describing it as a “monster”, and said doctors had asked him to take 80 mg instead. “I’ve been doing okay for 35 years. Leave me alone,” Trump said.

Trump, 79, also said he believes aspirin helps “thin” his blood and that he wants “nice, thin blood” flowing through his heart. His physician, Dr Sean Barbabella, has previously confirmed that Trump takes 325 mg of aspirin daily for cardiovascular prevention. A typical low-dose or “baby aspirin” dose is 81 mg.

The president’s aspirin use has drawn attention alongside recurring bruising on his hands. Trump has previously blamed the bruises on his large aspirin dose, while the White House has also attributed them to frequent handshaking. His physician described the bruising as a benign effect of aspirin therapy in a May medical report.

Trump has repeatedly discussed the issue since January, including after a bruise appeared on his hand following the World Economic Forum in Davos. He said at the time that doctors had told him he did not necessarily need aspirin but that he was unwilling to stop taking it.

Medically, aspirin reduces the ability of platelets to form blood clots. This can help people who have already suffered certain cardiovascular events, but it can also increase the risk of serious bleeding, including bleeding in the stomach or brain. The FDA says daily aspirin should be taken for cardiovascular prevention only after consultation with a healthcare professional.

Trump’s latest comments have renewed scrutiny of his health and medication use as he approaches his 80th birthday. His most recent medical report said he remained in “excellent health” and was fit to perform his presidential duties, while noting slight lower-leg swelling and benign hand bruising.