A top heart specialist who treated the late US Vice President Dick Cheney has publicly criticised former President Donald Trump's unconventional daily aspirin regimen, stating it "makes no sense" from a medical perspective.
Medical Experts Question Trump's 'Superstition'
The controversy emerged after Trump gave an interview to The Wall Street Journal, published on Friday 2 January 2026. In it, he revealed he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, a dose significantly higher than the standard low-dose 81 milligrams commonly used for heart health. Trump justified the practice by saying, "I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart."
Dr. Jonathan Reiner, a professor of medicine at George Washington University and a fellow at the American College of Cardiology, responded forcefully on CNN. He clarified that anticoagulants like aspirin do not actually "thin" blood. "It makes you less likely to clot," he explained, dismissing Trump's reasoning as nonsensical.
Bleeding Hazards and Unexplained Bruising
Dr. Reiner, who co-wrote a book with Dick Cheney and spoke at his funeral, highlighted the specific dangers for older adults. He noted that for people over 70, aspirin often provides no benefit for primary prevention of heart events and instead carries a significant hazard of bleeding.
This warning appears relevant given visible signs on Trump himself. Photographs have shown large bruises on the former president's hands, which he has attempted to cover with makeup. The White House has previously attributed this to chronic venous insufficiency.
"So if you're bruising a lot, and your doctor says you're on too much aspirin, why wouldn't you go down to the lower dose? It makes no sense to me," Reiner questioned, linking the bruising directly to Trump's high-dose aspirin therapy.
A Political and Medical Legacy
The cardiologist's comments intertwine with a notable political history. Dick Cheney, who suffered five heart attacks and received a transplant in 2012, became an outspoken critic of Trump in his later years. His daughter, Liz Cheney, voted to impeach Trump and later endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Despite the medical criticism, Trump has vehemently defended his health. In an early-morning post on his Truth Social platform, he insisted he is in "PERFECT HEALTH" and claimed to have "ACED" a cognitive test, following reports detailing various vein and skin conditions, a poor diet, and hearing issues.
