Former U.S. President Donald Trump has revealed the personal and tragic reason why he has never consumed alcohol in his life — a decision shaped by the story of his late brother, Fred Trump Jr.
In a recent interview, Trump confirmed that he completely avoids alcohol and cigarettes, explaining that his brother’s struggles left a lasting impact on him.
“I had a great brother who taught me a lesson. That was Fred Trump Jr., who died of a heart attack in 1981 at the age of 42,” Trump said. “He struggled with alcohol addiction, something that was also depicted in the 2024 biographical drama ‘The Apprentice.’”
Trump described his brother as a handsome and remarkable man, adding: “He drank and smoked a lot, but he was a wonderful person. I always tell people — no drugs, no alcohol, no cigarettes. I repeat that to my children all the time.”
He spoke with deep admiration for his late brother, noting, “He was older than me, someone I looked up to and admired greatly. He had an incredible personality and amazing presence.”
Trump admitted that Fred’s battle with alcoholism deeply affected him, especially as he watched how long his brother’s body resisted the effects of addiction. “I think it probably started in college,” he said. “The family began to notice, but things didn’t get better. Still, his strength amazed us all.”
Through his brother’s loss, Trump says he learned a lifelong lesson — to stay away from all substances that can lead to addiction and to pass that same message on to future generations.
