Obesity medicine experts weigh in on Donald Trump’s rapid weight loss amid Ozempic rumors
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump recently sparked suspicions that he could be using weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, as his recent physical examination revealed that he lost quite a lot of weight.
Trump's last presidential physical from his first term in office in 2020 confirmed his weight to be 244 pounds, whereas he currently weighs 224 pounds, losing 20 pounds, according to OK! Magazine.
Experts believe Donald Trump's rapid weight loss could be due to Ozempic
Donald Trump's doctor, Sean Barbabella, claimed earlier in April that the president's slim physique was because of his "active lifestyle" and "frequent victories in golf events."
However, some experts believe Trump could have used Ozempic to help in weight reduction.
According to OK! Magazine, obesity medicine specialist Dr Lisa Oldson informed a news publication, "Most people don’t lose weight that fast without meds."
She admitted to her speculation about the POTUS shedding that much weight only from dieting and exercise.
She explained, "When we look at people losing 30 pounds, 40 pounds, 50 pounds, 80 pounds, 100 pounds, that’s much more often due to the newer meds, the GLP agonists," as earlier reports claimed Trump's heaviest weight reached 254 pounds.
However, Dr Carolyn Williams, an Alabama-based dietitian, argued that using weight-loss drugs usually "makes you feel bad," and the president has seemed to be happy and healthy in public.
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Ozempic rumors and insisted that the president has had no medication in his weight-loss journey, per the outlet.
She said in a statement, "As the results of his recently conducted physical concluded, President Trump is indeed in peak physical and mental condition as a result of his strenuous schedule working 20 hours per day, his exercise on the golf course, and his diet courtesy of the exceptional White House chefs."
"The president is in a physical condition that most men his age could only dream about," she added.
Donald Trump talks about losing weight the 'hard way'
During a chat with Fox News' Brian Kilmeade in 2024, Donald Trump spoke out about losing weight the "hard way."
He said in January 2024, "I've been so busy I haven't been able to eat very much. I'm not able to sit down and eat like a person like you — you can sit down and eat. Me, it's a little bit tougher."
Interestingly, Dr Williams warned at the time that this might not be a sustainable solution for the president, per the outlet.
She explained, "He has lost some weight, particularly in the abdominal area where visceral fat is stored. What's less clear is how healthy his approach is for losing this weight and maintaining it."
She added, "Skipping meals due to scheduling and/or stress isn't a long-term solution. If this is the case, he's likely lacking some key nutrients—ones like fiber, potassium, calcium, and vitamin D—in his diet unless he's focusing on nutrient-dense foods when he does find time for a meal."
