Donald Trump has admitted he should “probably” be on “fat drugs” amid rising concerns over his physical and mental health. The 79-year-old US President has previously refused to acknowledge rumours of age-related decline, insisting he is in “perfect” shape. During a recent interview with the New York Times, however, Mr Trump appeared to accept that he could stand to lose some weight.

When quizzed on whether he had dabbled with GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, which he has dubbed “fat drugs” in the past, the President said: “No, I have not. I probably should.” Mr Trump was reported to stand at 6 ft 3 ins and weigh 224 pounds (16 stone) in his most recent physical exam, putting his body mass index in the overweight category.

It came after Mr Trump asked a photographer to make him look “thin” during a speech at the Kennedy Centre on Tuesday.

Addressing Times photographer Doug Mills, famed for his shot of the President during the 2024 assassination attempt, he said: “Make me look thin for a change, Doug. You’re making me look a little bit heavy. I’m not happy about it.”

Concerns around Mr Trump’s physical condition have recently centred around bruising on his hands and instances where he appeared to fall asleep in public, rather than his body mass.

In an interview with the Wall Street Journal earlier this month, the 79-year-old – the oldest president inaugurated in US history – insisted that he had not fallen asleep in meetings, but closed his eyes at times because he found it “relaxing”.

He also said he carried makeup around with him in case his hands got “whacked” and revealed that he preferred not to do any form of exercise other than golfing because he finds it “boring”.

The US President hasn’t been shy in discussing weight loss drugs in the past, previously quizzing his aides on whether they’d taken them after agreeing a deal to reduce costs for Ozempic, Wegovy and others to as little as $149 (£111) per month in November.

“Secretary Howard Lutnick, you take any of this stuff, Howard?” he asked the head of commerce. “Not yet,” came the reply.

Meanwhile, Steven Cheung, communications director for the White House was seemingly outed as a user despite his absence from the discussion. “Where’s Steve? Is he here?” Mr Trump said. “Head of public relations for the White House. He’s taking it.”