Former President Donald Trump has long been known for his larger-than-life personality, sharp rhetoric, and controversial policies—but there’s one thing that has set him apart from nearly every other political leader in U.S. history: he’s never had a drink of alcohol in his life.
During an appearance on comedian Theo Von’s popular podcast This Past Weekend, Trump, now 79 and serving his second term in the White House, opened up about the deeply personal reason behind his lifelong sobriety. The discussion quickly turned from politics to family, when Von asked the question many have wondered for years.
“I noticed at the events you don’t drink or smoke, right? You never have?” Von asked.
Trump, who rarely discusses his personal habits in depth, paused before sharing a story that has shaped his life since his youth.
“No, I never have,” he said. “I had a great brother who taught me a lesson.”
That brother was Fred Trump Jr.—a man Trump still speaks of with both admiration and sadness. Fred was once seen as the charismatic, outgoing heir apparent to the Trump family business. But his promising future was cut short by alcoholism, which led to his death in 1981 at the age of 42.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R80tJ4lAz20&t=1s
“He smoked and drank—great guy—he was a very handsome guy,” Trump said. “He had a problem with alcohol and smoked a lot, but I tell people, ‘No drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes.’ I tell that to my kids all the time.”
Trump said Fred’s struggles with addiction left a deep impression on him during his early years in business. As the younger brother, Donald looked up to Fred’s confidence and charm. Seeing that same person spiral due to alcohol, he explained, changed the way he viewed life forever.
“So he was old enough that you would look up to somebody, and I’d look up to him,” Trump reflected. “I admired so much about him—he had so much going for him. He had the look, he had an unbelievable personality.”
The former president described how the decline of his brother’s health “amazed” him, especially as Fred’s body seemed to endure immense damage from years of heavy drinking.
“I think it probably started in college at a fraternity maybe,” Trump said. “Somewhere along the line it happened, and all of a sudden—it’s not unique, it’s a very common story, unfortunately—the family would see it and start to notice it, and it didn’t get better.
“He lived for so long in bad conditions. I was amazed his body could hold out—it had bad moments, but his body was unbelievably strong to withstand that much.”
Trump has spoken before about how that family tragedy steered his life in a different direction. He’s said that Fred’s story convinced him to never even try alcohol—not a sip, not even once.
“I learned because of Fred,” Trump told Fox News in 2018. “He was a strong guy, but he had a very, very tough life because of alcohol. He would tell me, ‘Don’t drink, don’t drink.’ And I listened to him.”
Trump’s disciplined avoidance of alcohol and cigarettes has often been cited as one of his defining lifestyle choices, especially compared to other political figures who were known to drink socially. His insistence on sobriety also became part of his public persona—a symbol of control and willpower amid chaos.
“I could have been an addict,” Trump admitted during his podcast conversation with Theo Von. “If I had tried it, who knows? Maybe I would’ve liked it. I never wanted to take that chance.”
This revelation adds a personal dimension to the former president’s public image. While critics have often labeled Trump as brash or self-indulgent, his decades-long commitment to abstaining from alcohol comes from a place of loss, not vanity. Those close to him have said that his brother’s death was one of the most painful events of his life, shaping his outlook on health, discipline, and even family responsibility.
The story of Trump’s relationship with his late brother was also depicted in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan as a young Donald Trump. The film portrays the Trump family’s early years in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s, showing how Fred Jr.’s struggles left an indelible mark on the future president.
In interviews surrounding the movie, Trump said he hoped audiences would remember that behind the headlines and controversies, his family’s story is also one of tragedy, lessons, and resilience.
Fred Trump Jr.’s death not only changed Donald Trump’s relationship with alcohol but also influenced how he raised his own children. He has frequently told Donald Jr., Ivanka, Eric, Tiffany, and Barron the same advice Fred once gave him: don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t use drugs.
It’s a mantra he has repeated at rallies and interviews throughout his career, often using it as a teaching moment when speaking to young audiences about discipline and the consequences of addiction.
Trump has occasionally spoken about his brother’s charm and the heartbreak of watching him decline. “Fred was the best-looking guy,” he once said. “He had the best personality, much better than mine. Everyone loved him.”
But for all his charisma, Fred’s struggles became a silent cautionary tale for his younger brother—a reminder that even the brightest personalities can fade under the weight of addiction.
Trump’s story resonates with many families across America who have watched loved ones battle addiction. The former president’s personal loss underscores the far-reaching impact that substance abuse can have—not just on those suffering directly, but on those who love them.
While Trump’s political legacy continues to divide the nation, his message about addiction remains one of his most human and universally relatable points. He has said repeatedly that he speaks about Fred’s story not out of shame, but out of a desire to help others avoid the same pain.
“I tell everyone, if you don’t start, you’ll never have a problem,” Trump said. “The easiest way not to get addicted is never to try.”
That straightforward lesson, passed down from a brother lost too soon, has defined a lifetime of sobriety for the man who would go on to become one of the most powerful—and polarizing—figures in modern history.
For Donald Trump, it’s not a moral statement or a political one. It’s a promise he made to himself as a teenager — one he’s kept for over six decades.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, you can call the American Addiction Centers at (888) 324-0595, available 24/7, or visit their website for confidential help.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
