Former President Donald J. Trump sat down with Theo Von—who boasts one of the most listened-to podcasts in the U.S.—to discuss a wide range of issues facing the country. However, one moment stood out: Von—himself in addiction recovery—and Trump discussing the former president‘s late brother Fred, his struggles with alcoholism, and what Trump learned from the man he admired.
The exchange shows a side of Trump few on the political left want to acknowledge: a man sincerely in tune with the struggles faced by countless Americans every day. “I don’t drink or smoke,” Trump told Von after the latter mentioned he had never seen him take a drink at a campaign event. Trump explained: “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson: don’t drink. Don’t drink, and he said don’t smoke.”
Fred Trump, the older brother of former President Trump, struggled with alcoholism and ultimately succumbed to it in 1981. Speaking with Von, Trump explained his love and admiration for his older brother—despite his struggles—describing him as a “great” and “handsome” guy who was full of “wisdom” and had “a great personality.”
“He had a problem with alcohol and smoked a lot,” Trump told Von, adding that he now tells people, “no drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes. I tell that to my kids all of the time.”
‘A VERY COMMON STORY.’
Trump lamented that, like his brother, many Americans struggle with addiction. “You know, this is not unique; this is a very common story, unfortunately,” Trump said. He explained the importance of discussing the issues of substance abuse and addiction publicly as it often serves to help others. Trump added that it is worth the personal pain, even if it brings clarity to just one other person.
Von, thanking Trump for his openness, noted that many of his listeners have or still struggle with addiction and other issues and that his podcast makes it a point to address these problems and bring hope of recovery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates upwards of 178,000 Americans die from excessive alcohol use each year. Additionally, it estimates nearly 20 percent of Americans aged 12 or older struggle with substance abuse.
WATCH:
On @TheoVon, President Trump explains how his brother Fred’s alcohol addiction influenced him to never touch drugs, alcohol or cigarettes. pic.twitter.com/xyLD1m414R
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 20, 2024