During an Oval Office interview, President Donald Trump tackled questions about his father, Fred Trump’s, struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. However, there was a brief moment when he had difficulty remembering the name of the condition, which was provided by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
In a conversation with New York Magazine, the 79-year-old president spoke about his late father, who passed away at the age of 93 in 1999. According to Trump, his father had an unbeatable heart and was relatively healthy, apart from one health issue that arose later in his life.
The story, published on Monday, January 26, 2026, is based on an Oval Office interview last month with the president, who began it by threatening to sue the magazine if it published “a bad story about my health.”
Trump, pointing to his forehead, asked, “At a certain age, about 86, 87, he started getting, what do they call it?” Leavitt, who was present at the interview, supplied the answer, “Alzheimer’s.”
Trump continued the discussion, stating that he does not suffer from Alzheimer’s.
This interaction attracted attention due to the broader context of the interview, which was centered on addressing the widespread speculations about the president’s physical and mental health. Trump, who was 78 when he assumed office and will turn 80 on June 14, 2026, is among the oldest individuals to serve as president.
When queried about the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s, considering his family history, Trump dismissed this concern entirely. The president said that he doesn’t dwell on it at all and has adopted an attitude of acceptance for whatever may come.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that gradually erodes memory and cognitive skills. Medical experts estimate that approximately six million Americans aged 65 and above suffer from this condition. The disease typically starts with mild memory loss and can eventually result in the loss of the capability to engage in conversations or respond to the environment.
Trump’s 60-year-old niece, Mary Trump, offered a differing view to HuffPost. She stated that the president occasionally exhibits a deer-in-the-headlights expression that reminds her of her grandfather, Fred Trump, during his cognitive decline. She said her uncle sometimes appears disoriented and not aware of the time and place.
Throughout the interview, Trump consistently claimed that he is in perfect health. He was accompanied by two physicians from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, including Colonel James Jones, PA-C (physician-assistant). Jones confirmed Trump’s health status during the interview. Navy Captain Sean Barbabella is Trump’s official White House physician.
The president told the magazine that he feels the same as he did 40 years ago, and said that he has taken three cognitive tests and passed all of them successfully.
Public scrutiny of Trump’s health has escalated in recent times, particularly concerning visible bruising on both his hands. The president’s right-hand bruising has been repeatedly photographed over the past year, and bruising was also noticed on his left hand during his visit to Davos, Switzerland.
Dr. Barbabella attributed the bruising to the president’s everyday aspirin intake and frequent handshaking. Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, a habit he has kept up for three decades. The president said his doctors do not approve of this dosage, but it works for him, and he doesn’t plan to make any changes now that he is in the Oval Office.
Medical imaging was also discussed when Trump clarified a previous medical visit. Jones told the magazine that Trump had a CT scan of his chest and abdomen, not an MRI as initially reported. Trump added that there was no specific reason for the scan other than the machine being available.
Jones stated that the imaging was routine for any patient of Trump’s age and was intended to rule out potential issues. He confirmed that the results showed no problems.
The White House also revealed that Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a circulatory condition where damaged blood vessels in the legs cause blood to accumulate, leading to swelling. This condition could explain some of the visible symptoms that observers have noted.
There were also questions about Trump’s alertness during meetings. The president seemed to fall asleep during a Cabinet meeting in December, although officials claimed he was actively listening. Trump provided a different explanation to Newsweek, stating that the meeting was extremely boring. He said that he keeps his hand moving during long meetings to show that he is attentive, even though he is eager to leave.
Trump’s most recent official physical examination, conducted in April 2025 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, recorded his weight as 224 pounds.
Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, who was also involved in discussions about the president’s health, suggested that any article should headline the “superhuman president.” Other administration officials have voiced similar views, with some stating that Trump is working harder now than at any point in his life, including during his tenure in the real estate industry.
The disparity between Trump’s self-evaluation and external observations has sparked an ongoing debate about the transparency of presidential health. The issue became more relevant following concerns about former President Joe Biden’s cognitive state during his time in office, making health and fitness questions particularly sensitive for any sitting president.
As Trump confronts the physical demands of the presidency at an age where many Americans are already retired, his family medical history, visible symptoms, and public speculation have generated continued interest in the president’s physical condition and his capacity to fulfill his duties.