# Trump is dying

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520>\
**Category:** The BBQ Pit\
**Tags:** trump\
**Created:** [August 27, 2025, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520 "2025-08-27T07:09:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 63

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**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1242 "2026-01-02T15:02:48Z")

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> [@Buck\_Godot](#):
>
> He had claimed that the “MRIs” were just routine which would have been ludicrous for a normal person but might have made sense for someone with unlimited resources. Why not do an MRI? There’s no harm and it might show something important.

I think this is a fair point. Imaging in general can catch many things early that are usually untreatable by the time they show symptoms. Had I unlimited resources, I would get screened regularly, and I know that many wealthy people do just that.

> [@Buck\_Godot](#):
>
> But a CT scan involves a not insignificant amount of radiation. Its not something you are going to do unless the risks of leaving something undetected is greater than the risk of the added radiation. So that completely rules out the possibility that Trump was in perfect health and just had one to be sure.

Sure, but it’s still far lower than the whole body dose a radiation worker is allowed in a year. And that limit is set below the point where there’s a statistical increase in cancer.

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1243 "2026-01-02T15:13:18Z")

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Regular imaging without a medical indication has its downsides. For instance:

> [@](#):
>
> Whole-body scans often produce “incidental findings” that doctors don’t know how to interpret, according to Davenport’s 2023 paper in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
> 
> Doctors then order more tests that trigger yet more tests, in what can become “cascades of care,” with a number of negative effects, according to Davenport.
> 
> To start with, the discovery of an unexplained and ultimately harmless mass or other abnormality can trigger unnecessary anxiety for patients as they await answers from follow-up testing.
> 
> Invasive testing to explore the problem could be far from harmless.

Followup biopsies of incidentalomas can result in untoward bleeding or infection. And biopsy results can be indeterminate, misleading or misinterpreted.

Over-imaging is good for M.D. incomes, including those of radiologists and pathologists, but not so good for the patient.

> **[The Truth About Whole-Body Scans](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/truth-about-whole-body-scans)**
>
> What to know about whole-body scans for body composition and health.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1244 "2026-01-02T15:46:43Z")

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> [@dtilque](#):
>
> Find one close to where you live and reserve a plot (assuming they take reservations, I have no idea).

Layaway plan?

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**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1245 "2026-01-02T16:01:07Z")

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Absolutely no worthwhile cite, but I’d swear I saw a news headline within the past month where one of Trump’s regular doctors stepped down. I didn’t read the whole article, but I was left wondering if that was a bad sign, as in, he had concerns about something really serious about Trump’s health would be coming out in the near future and he wanted to protect himself from any blow back from the more rabid Trump fans. Anything from “you screwed up” to “it’s YOUR fault he died/had a stroke/whatever!”

Now, with the story about Trump taking quadrupal doses of aspirin AMA, I wonder if was just a more simple “he won’t follow my advice anyway, let another doctor try to control him”?

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**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1246 "2026-01-02T16:25:10Z")

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“He won’t follow my advice anyway, let another \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ try to control him” is something I bet a lot of experts would say to themselves upon leaving the WH.

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**Author:** ![Nyvaak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Nyvaak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nyvaak)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1247 "2026-01-02T17:01:26Z")

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He tells us all that he had an MRI, then says it was a CT. Is that because he doesn’t know the difference? Or can’t remember which he had.

And his physician [tells us](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2026/01/01/trump-health-mri-ct-scan/02be8d9e-e72f-11f0-ae3e-837f914c795b_story.html), “ . . . Trump agreed to meet with the staff and soldiers at Walter Reed Medical Hospital in October. In order to make the most of the President’s time at the hospital, we recommended he undergo another routine physical evaluation . . .”

Does anyone think this is plausible? He’ll be at a meeting there anyway, so why not get a CT scan?

Really though, is there anyone on this board who is surprised when Trump lies to us?

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**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1248 "2026-01-02T17:07:16Z")

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> [@Nyvaak](#):
>
> Really though, is there anyone on this board who is surprised when Trump lies to us?

Exactly. Between the shifting stories, and the repeated attempts to say “this is usual, this is normal, this is simply precautionary,” when most doctors and medical experts have been saying, “no, actually, it’s really not,” it all adds up to that it’s very likely that he has _some_ serious medical issue.

What, exactly, that is, and what it means for his lifespan and ability to serve, is, of course, still going to be a subject for speculation (including this thread), despite Trump’s desperate attempts to minimize it.

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**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1249 "2026-01-02T17:16:31Z")

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This just out: Trump is smart! He passes the dementia tests with flying colors!  
[![](https://i.imgur.com/n8VNM26.png) ](https://i.imgur.com/n8VNM26.png)

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**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1250 "2026-01-02T17:43:10Z")

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He wrote “no other president, or previous Vice President, was willing to take”, he meant “_required_ to take”.

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**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1251 "2026-01-02T17:57:39Z")

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What are the odds of Trump consenting to a comprehensive mental status exam evaluated by outside experts, instead of parroting reports from his sycophantic personal docs?

In any event, he’s sure getting a lot of “Cognitive Examinations”.

\*OK Mr. President, here’s a tough one: “Bird, red, cheeseburger. Which of those is a color?”

“Can you repeat the question? And I want extra fries.”

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**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1252 "2026-01-02T18:00:26Z")

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Besides mega dosing aspirin, Trump has said that he was told to wear compression socks but chooses not to because he doesn’t like them.

> [@](#):
>
> Trump said he tried compression socks but stopped because, “I didn’t like them.”

I’m no medical professional, but perhaps that portends something.

> **[Trump, 79, Finally Admits He’s Wearing Compression Socks and Makeup to Hide...](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-79-finally-admits-hes-wearing-compression-socks-and-makeup-to-hide-how-sick-he-is/)**
>
> The president confirmed health concerns that the Daily Beast has led the way in exposing.

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1253 "2026-01-02T18:20:58Z")

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My dad had dementia. We eventually took his phone away from him so he wouldn’t make a fool of himself on Facebook. It’s obvious Trump has no one in his life that loves him enough to do the same. I mean, for fucks sake, he’s probably the only president in the (admittedly short) history of social media to do his own posting. Someone just needs to take his phone away and let his press people handle the account(s).

Or not. What the fuck do I care if he continues to make an ass of himself with his pathetic posts because no one loves him.

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**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1254 "2026-01-02T18:31:59Z")

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> [@Moriarty](#):
>
> Besides mega dosing aspirin

From your cite,

> Barbabella said Trump takes 325 milligrams of aspirin a day—a much larger dose than the usual 81 milligrams—for “cardiac prevention.”

The standard aspirin dosage for adults is 325 mg to 650 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed. The maximum accepted dose is 3,900 mg in 24 hours.

Could we stop exaggerating what he’s doing when it’s far more than likely that Trump’s doctor(s) told him to take a “baby” aspirin and Trump being Trump finds the idea of The Donald taking something for babies beneath him?

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**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1255 "2026-01-02T18:36:57Z")

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> [@crowmanyclouds](#):
>
> Trump’s doctor(s) told him to take a “baby” aspirin

I take an 81 mg aspirin of tablet daily. It’s no longer labelled ‘baby aspirin’. Instead, it’s now labelled ‘adult low dose aspirin’. I

I feel much more mature than when I used to take baby aspirin.

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**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1256 "2026-01-02T18:44:39Z")

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But he hasn’t changed his diet…

[![](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nQOx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4593e593-581b-4841-b03d-78faf3a2dcd5_800x1200.jpeg) ](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nQOx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4593e593-581b-4841-b03d-78faf3a2dcd5_800x1200.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1257 "2026-01-02T23:29:09Z")

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> [@Nyvaak](#):
>
> He tells us all that he had an MRI, then says it was a CT. Is that because he doesn’t know the difference? Or can’t remember which he had.

Probably both.

But “CT rather than MRI” does answer a question many had back when we thought it had been an MRI, namely: how could they get Donald to stay still for 15 to 90 minutes?

With a CT scan you need to stay still for no longer than a few seconds (typically holding your breath as instructed), and then repeating a couple of times as you are sent back through for additional passes.

Easier for Donald to manage, no doubt.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1258 "2026-01-02T23:30:59Z")

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> [@Sherrerd](#):
>
> how could they get Donald to stay still for 15 to 90 minutes?

Versed

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1259 "2026-01-03T00:01:16Z")

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> [@StarvingButStrong](#):
>
> Now, with the story about Trump taking quadrupal doses of aspirin AMA, I wonder if was just a more simple “he won’t follow my advice anyway, let another doctor try to control him”?

As a child of the SIxties, I’m finding it difficult to wrap my head around the notion that two standard-sized aspirin tablets is a megadose.

Taken daily, as if it were a multivitamin, probably should be contraindicated, granted.

> [@Railer13](#):
>
> I take an 81 mg aspirin of tablet daily. It’s no longer labelled ‘baby aspirin’. Instead, it’s now labelled ‘adult low dose aspirin’.

They’re probably not chewable anymore either. 😔

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**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1260 "2026-01-03T00:30:30Z")

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> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> As a child of the SIxties, I’m finding it difficult to wrap my head around the notion that two standard-sized aspirin tablets is a megadose.

That’s the thing - taken occasionally for headaches or pain, it’s not a megadose. But it’s a very high dose to be taken to prevent cardiovascular problems - and even a daily low-dose aspirin is generally not recommended for people without a history of heart attack, bypass, stent who also aren’t at high risk for those issues.

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**Author:** ![mtnmatt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@mtnmatt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtnmatt)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-dying/1022520/1261 "2026-01-03T00:39:44Z")

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I was going to post earlier that I take it post a stroke but miss the delicious orange flavor or what my mom used to give me, though I do remember at some point being embarrassed to have “baby” aspirin as “big kid”

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