US President Donald Trump has attributed the recurring bruises on his hand to daily aspirin use and dismissed claims that he falls asleep during public meetings.

In an interview published on Thursday, January 1, Trump insisted his health is “perfect” and voiced frustration over ongoing scrutiny of his physical condition. He also clarified a previous statement about undergoing an MRI scan in October, explaining that it was actually a CT scan.

At 79, Trump is the oldest person to assume the US presidency, and the first year of his second term has renewed public attention on his health. While he continues to project energy through frequent media appearances, constant social media activity, and AI-generated images portraying him as a superhero, questions have persisted.

Bruising has repeatedly appeared on Trump’s right hand, sometimes covered with makeup or bandages, and his ankles have occasionally looked swollen. He has also faced criticism after appearing to struggle to keep his eyes open during some public events, including a televised Oval Office meeting in November. The moments drew attention given his long-running criticism of former president Joe Biden as “sleepy.”

Trump explained that the bruising is linked to his use of aspirin as a blood thinner. “I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he said, adding that he applies makeup or bandages when his hand gets “whacked.”

He also blamed one visible cut on his hand on an incident where Attorney General Pam Bondi accidentally hit the back of his hand with her ring while giving him a high-five.

Addressing the confusion over his medical scan, Trump acknowledged he misspoke earlier and confirmed it was a CT scan, not an MRI. His doctor said the scan was conducted to rule out any cardiovascular issues.

Trump also rejected claims that he falls asleep during meetings. “I’ve never been a big sleeper,” he said, explaining that moments interpreted as dozing off are often just him closing his eyes briefly or blinking at the wrong time.