President Donald Trump revealed in an exclusive Wall Street Journal interview that his visible hand bruising stems from taking a higher dose of aspirin than his doctors recommend—a claim that contrasts with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s earlier explanation.

For months, close photographs have documented significant bruising on the back of Trump’s hands. During the interview published Thursday, Trump stated he takes 325 milligrams of aspirin daily, despite medical professionals advising a lower dose for cardiovascular prevention. “They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood,” Trump explained, “and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart.” He added that his physicians have preferred smaller doses but emphasized he has taken the higher amount “for years” to achieve what he describes as “nice, thin blood.”

Leavitt previously attributed the bruising to frequent hand-shaking and side effects of aspirin use. She stated during a briefing that laboratory tests confirmed Trump’s condition remains within normal limits, with no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. The White House medical team described the bruising as “minor soft tissue irritation” consistent with his habits.

Trump’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, confirmed the president takes 325 milligrams daily—a dose aligned with Mayo Clinic guidelines for aspirin therapy but higher than the typical 75–100 milligram range recommended for heart protection in older adults. The administration has maintained that all results from recent examinations are “thoroughly evaluated” and indicate “excellent health.”