US President Donald Trump has never touched alcohol—a habit that sets him apart from many of his predecessors.
The 79-year-old, now in his second term and often making headlines for his controversial moves on immigration, tariffs, and the Jeffrey Epstein case, opened up about his sobriety on Theo Von’s podcast This Past Weekend last year.
“I noticed at events you don’t drink or smoke, right? You never have?” Theo asked. Trump’s lifelong abstinence from booze certainly makes him stand out in the political world.
Trump went on to reveal that the loss of a family member played a major role in his decision to steer clear of alcohol and other intoxicants.
This aspect of his life was also highlighted in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan as the young Trump, chronicling his rise in New York City’s real estate scene during the 1970s and 1980s.
“No, I never have,” Trump replied. “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson.”
He was referring to Fred Trump Jr., who tragically passed away from a heart attack at the age of 42 in 1981.
“He smoked and drank—a great guy, very handsome,” Trump continued. “He struggled with alcohol and smoked a lot, but I always tell people: ‘No drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes.’ I tell that to my kids all the time.
“He was someone you looked up to, and I admired so much about him. He had the look, an incredible personality, and so much going for him.”
Fred’s struggle with alcohol addiction left a lasting impression on the future president, who was amazed at how much damage his brother’s body could endure.
“I think it probably started in college, maybe at a fraternity. Somewhere along the line it happened, and unfortunately—this isn’t unique, it’s a very common story—the family began to notice, and it didn’t get better,” Trump recalled.
“He lived for so long under such harsh conditions. I was amazed his body could hold out. It had its bad moments, but his body was unbelievably strong and could withstand it.”
Trump also admitted to Theo Von that he could easily see himself becoming an addict if he had ever tried alcohol.
Trump has long acknowledged the deep impact his older brother’s struggles had on him.
According to Fox News, he reflected on it in 2018: “I had a brother, Fred—a great guy, best-looking guy, best personality, much better than mine. But he had a problem, 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 hard, hard struggle. I learned a lot because of Fred.”
