Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has openly shared the reasons behind his lifelong abstinence from alcohol, contrasting with many of his predecessors. The 79-year-old president, known for his contentious policies on immigration, tariffs, and the Jeffrey Epstein documents, discussed his sobriety on Theo Von’s podcast, This Past Weekend.
During the podcast, Von queried Trump about his choice to abstain from drinking and smoking. Trump revealed that a family tragedy played a significant role in his decision to avoid intoxicants.
This aspect of Trump’s life was depicted in the 2024 biopic, The Apprentice, with Sebastian Stan portraying the young Trump as he forged a real estate empire in New York during the 1970s and 80s.
Trump explained, “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson.” He was referring to Fred Trump Jr., who tragically died at 42 from a heart attack in 1981.
“He smoked and drank – great guy – he was a very handsome guy,” Trump continued. “He had a problem with alcohol and smoked a lot but I tell people, ‘No drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes’. I tell that to my kids all the time.”
According to Trump, Fred was a role model for him, admired for his charisma and looks, despite his struggles with alcohol.
Fred’s struggles with alcohol addiction bewildered Trump, given how his brother’s body endured such hardship.
“I think it had probably happened in college at a fraternity maybe? Somewhere along the line it happened and all of a sudden – this is not unique, this is a very common story unfortunately – the family would see it and start to notice it and it didn’t get better.”
Trump remarked on his brother’s resilience despite poor health conditions, which left a lasting impression on him.
During the podcast, Von learned that Trump saw himself as a potential addict had he ever tried alcohol.
Trump has consistently expressed how deeply his brother’s decline impacted him. In a statement to Fox News in 2018, he reflected: “I had a brother, Fred – great guy, best-looking guy, best personality, much better than mine. But he had a problem, he had a problem with alcohol and he would tell me ‘don’t drink, don’t drink.'”
“He had a very, very tough life because of alcohol. He was a strong guy but it was a tough, tough thing that he was going through. I learned because of Fred.”
If you’ve been affected by addiction and need someone to talk to, American Addiction Centers offer confidential support at (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or visit their website for more information.