Trump health concerns: US president Donald Trump has said that his main goal for 2026 is simply to “survive,” in a striking remark from the 79-year-old president.

In an interview with One America News Network (OAN), Trump was asked about his “big plans” for the midterms next year, when Republicans will be fighting to hold control of the House and Senate.

Trump replied saying, “Yeah, I have big plans, I want to survive,” adding, “You look at what’s going on, it’s crazy. The rhetoric that these crazy Democrats are using is very dangerous, they made politics very dangerous,” as quoted in a report.

Past Attempts on Trump’s Life

Trump’s comment comes after he was the target of two assassination attempts in 2024, raising concerns that someone may try again, as per a Daily Beast report.

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Trump's Health Concerns and Public Speculation

The president’s health has also been closely watched. He has often been seen with heavy makeup covering bruises on his hand, swollen ankles from chronic venous insufficiency, and moments where he appeared frail or unsteady in public, as per the Daily Beast report. Over Labor Day weekend, his brief disappearance from public view led to wild rumors on social media that he had died.

Questions About Trump's Mental Fitness

Trump has faced questions over possible mental decline, with verbal gaffes, memory lapses, and rambling speeches adding to speculation about his condition, as per the report.

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White House Response

When pressed about Trump’s “survive” comment, the White House issued a statement attacking the media, accusing news outlets of fueling political violence with their rhetoric. White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said, “Democrats and fringe-left s--tposters at the Daily Beast have long spouted dangerous rhetoric calling Republicans ‘Nazis’ and ‘fascists’ and emboldened violence against President Trump and his supporters,” adding “The Daily Beast should take responsibility for its contributions to an uptick in political violence across the country,” as quoted by The Daily Beast.

Fears About Trump's Afterlife

Trump has also spoken openly about his fears of not getting into heaven. He has said that brokering an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict could improve his chances. He told Fox News in August, “I’m hearing I’m not doing well,” and added that, “I hear I’m really at the bottom of the totem pole. If I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons," as quoted in the report.

The US president even used his fears about the afterlife as a fundraising ploy while referencing the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, in which he suffered a minor injury to his ear, reported Daily Beast.

Trump’s super PAC wrote in a message to supporters, saying, “I want to try and get to Heaven,” adding, “I certainly wasn’t supposed to survive an assassin’s bullet—but by the grace of the almighty God, I did,” as quoted in the report.

FAQs

What did Donald Trump say about his 2026 goal?
Trump said his main goal for 2026 is to “survive,” during an interview with OAN.

Why are people concerned about Trump’s health?
He has been seen with heavy makeup covering bruises, swollen ankles, and moments of frailty.