Donald Trump has spent years brushing off questions about his health, often claiming he’s in “perfect” condition despite openly admitting that he avoids exercise and has been seen nodding off during public events. But in a rare moment of candor, the 79-year-old U.S. President recently suggested that he might actually benefit from weight-loss medication.
In an interview with The New York Times, Trump was asked whether he had ever used GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic or Wegovy medications he has previously mocked as “fat drugs.” His response was unusually blunt: “No, I have not. I probably should.” The remark marked a noticeable shift from his long-standing refusal to acknowledge any age- or health-related concerns.
According to his most recent physical exam, Trump is listed at 6 feet 3 inches tall and 224 pounds, placing him in the “overweight” category based on body mass index. While BMI is often criticized as an imperfect measure, the numbers have fueled renewed discussion about the president’s physical condition, especially given his age.
Those concerns were amplified earlier this week during an appearance at the Kennedy Center, where Trump jokingly asked a photographer to make him look slimmer. Addressing veteran photographer Doug Mills, he quipped, “Make me look thin for a change. You’re making me look a little bit heavy. I’m not happy about it.” The comment, meant as humor, nevertheless underscored his sensitivity about public perception.
Recent scrutiny of Trump’s health hasn’t focused solely on weight. Observers have pointed to visible bruising on his hands and multiple moments where he appeared to doze off during meetings. Trump has denied falling asleep, telling The Wall Street Journal that he merely closes his eyes because he finds it “relaxing.” He also acknowledged carrying makeup to cover bruises, which he attributed to his hands getting “whacked.”
When it comes to fitness, Trump has long been unapologetic. He has repeatedly said he finds exercise “boring” and prefers to limit physical activity to golf. This stance stands in contrast to modern medical advice, particularly for older adults, and has added to ongoing debates about presidential fitness and transparency.
Ironically, Trump has shown significant interest in weight-loss drugs when it comes to others. After announcing a deal to reduce the cost of medications like Ozempic and Wegovy to as low as $149 per month last November, he openly questioned aides about whether they were using them. In one exchange, he even joked that White House communications director Steven Cheung was taking the drug, despite Cheung not being part of the conversation.
Taken together, Trump’s recent comments and public appearances paint a more complicated picture than his usual claims of flawless health. Whether his offhand admission about “probably” needing weight-loss drugs signals genuine self-reflection or just another headline-grabbing moment, it has reignited broader conversations about age, fitness, transparency, and accountability at the highest levels of American politics.
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