Trump's hair loss medication use removed from medical records, raising transparency concerns

The use of hair loss medication by U.S. President Donald Trump, known for his distinctive hairstyle, came to light around the beginning of his first term in 2017.

It was repeatedly revealed through medical records and statements from his personal physician that he had been taking the hair loss drug Propecia even before becoming president and continued to do so during his first term.

However, mentions of taking hair loss medication have disappeared from his medical records since his re-election, the U.S. daily Washington Post (WP) reported on the 4th (local time).

It is unclear whether he has stopped taking it or if he is still taking it but it has been omitted from his medical records.

White House officials did not answer questions about whether President Trump had taken hair loss medication in the past or has stopped taking it now, WP reported.

The White House did state, however, regarding President Trump's recently released medical records, that they "contain information related to the President's ability to perform his duties" and that "no undisclosed illnesses or procedures that have a significant impact on the President's health condition have been omitted."

This has led to suspicions that President Trump may have intentionally removed the fact that he was taking hair loss medication from his medical records.

Robert Klitzman, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, pointed out, "This raises serious questions about what else might not be disclosed."

He emphasized the need for transparent disclosure of medical records, stating that taking finasteride, the active ingredient in Propecia, increases the risk of depression, which could affect the President's job performance.

Arthur Kaplan, who has long studied presidential health issues at NYU School of Medicine, said that Trump has a history of trying to hide health-related information and does not trust the medical records released by the White House.

There is a reason why questions are being raised about the disclosure of President Trump's medical records. Before announcing his candidacy for the 2015 presidential election, he released medical records stating he was extremely healthy, but his personal physician later revealed, "I wrote what President Trump told me to write."

President Trump also did not disclose detailed health check-up results during the 2024 presidential election campaign when he was seeking re-election.

There have been quite a few U.S. presidents who have not transparently disclosed their health status. Woodrow Wilson became unable to perform his duties due to a stroke, but the public was not informed for several months.

Franklin Roosevelt's health was so poor in 1944, the year he ran for his fourth term, that there were medical assessments that he "would not be able to last a four-year term." Roosevelt won the presidential election in November of the same year but died a few months later in April 1945.

President Trump's predecessor, Joe Biden, was also embroiled in suspicions of hiding his health status during his term. He exposed a frail appearance during the 2024 presidential debate, unable to react promptly to the situation, and eventually withdrew from the presidential race.