Donald Trump recently discussed why he abstains from alcohol during a conversation with podcaster Theo Von.
In a segment shared on Von’s YouTube channel, which has garnered approximately 2.8 million views, the former US president opened up about his views on alcohol and drugs.
Trump is known for his teetotal lifestyle, preferring Diet Coke, of which he reportedly consumes multiple cans daily.
While many are aware of Trump’s decision not to drink, the reasons behind it are less commonly known.
Theo Von began the discussion by asking Trump to elaborate on why he chooses not to consume alcohol.
Trump revealed that he abstains from drinking due to advice from a family member.
“I never have,” he mentioned. “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson, don’t drink, and he said don’t smoke. He smoke and he drank.”
This advice came from his elder brother, Fred Trump, whose battle with alcoholism led to his untimely death at 42.
“Great guy, he was a very handsome guy,” Trump remarked. “He had a problem with alcohol.”
Describing Fred’s past, Trump continued: “He had so much going, he had everything going, I think it probably happened in college.”
Von shared his own experiences with recovery, noting: “For me drugs is the problem, but if I have a drink then it’s tougher for me to prevent myself.”
This exchange follows a recovering alcoholic’s candid discussion about their own challenges and the indicators that suggest one’s drinking habits may have escalated beyond casual.
Individuals might turn to alcohol for numerous reasons.
This could include attempting to manage a mental health issue, mistakenly believing they are only ‘fun’ under the influence, or navigating a challenging time in life.
Corey Warren shared on TikTok a personal indicator that someone’s drinking may have crossed a line—experiencing blackouts.
“I used to think that blacking out was just a part of drinking, part of having fun, a part of the story I’d tell the next day,” he explained.
“What I didn’t realise is that blacking out is not what happens when I drink too much one time. Blacking out is what happens when my tolerance is so high that I drink past my body’s limit and I don’t even realise it.”
He further stated: “And that’s not normal, that’s not fun. That’s my brain shutting down.”