The White House has swiftly dismissed claims circulating online that Donald Trump is receiving early access to an experimental weight loss medication known as retatrutide. These allegations emerged following a report from STAT, which outlined the circumstances surrounding a 79-year-old man who had been granted access to the drug through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) “compassionate use” program.
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Kush Desai, a spokesperson for the White House, addressed the rumour on social media platform X, asserting that the application in question was not intended for the former president. This response came amid speculation that Trump might be using the drug, particularly as he turned 80 years old just a week prior to the report.
STAT’s article revealed that the unnamed individual who received early access to retatrutide had a serious condition, referred to as refractory obesity with obstructive sleep apnea, along with pulmonary hypertension. This has led to speculation regarding the connections this patient might have had to garner such access to the medication. The report cited sources who indicated that senior health officials were notably attracted to this application, hinting it was from someone well-connected.
The FDA’s “compassionate use” programme, formally termed Expanded Access, allows patients with life-threatening diseases to gain access to experimental treatments when no other acceptable alternatives are available. Despite the details about this individual’s access to the drug, the White House firmly maintained that there was no link to President Trump.
Desai’s remarks, along with a post from the White House’s rapid-response team, were particularly sharp, labelling those who propagated the rumours as “sick and deranged.” He further critiqued Lizzy Lawrence, the STAT reporter, as an “unserious gossip columnist” who had supposedly pushed the narrative without substantiation.
According to health experts, retatrutide is designed to enhance outcomes for those dealing with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The high demand for such treatments is reflected in the millions of Americans who have been anticipating the formal approval of Eli Lilly’s drug, which has not yet received FDA endorsement.
When discussing Trump’s health, it was noted that he remains in the overweight category according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s BMI calculator. His most recent physical examination, conducted earlier in May, reported a weight of 238 pounds, marking a loss from his previous examination in 2020, when he weighed 244 pounds.
Moreover, previous reports indicated that Trump had invested in Eli Lilly earlier this year. His involvement has raised eyebrows, especially as he announced efforts to lower costs for GLP-1 weight-loss medications, securing a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cap prices for consumers purchasing directly. As part of this initiative, he stated that risks associated with weight-loss drugs should not deter access to essential medication.
Past comments from Trump reveal his understanding of the importance of maintaining good health, particularly for someone in his position. During interviews, he acknowledged the potential benefits of GLP-1 medications, although he claimed he had never personally used such treatments.
Overall, the White House’s quick rebuttal underscores the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the health of public figures, especially those as prominent as former President Trump. As the saga unfolds, the intertwining of health, politics, and social media continues to shape public discourse around emerging medical advancements.