Online speculation suggests Donald Trump may be receiving an experimental weight-loss medication that has not yet secured full FDA approval. This rumor arose following reports that only one individual in the United States has been granted access to the drug via an exceptional compassionate use program. The validity of these claims is being examined.
The FDA has permitted access to the investigational drug retatrutide through its “compassionate use” provision for a single patient in the U.S. This individual, a 79-year-old man, had his application approved in April under the supervision of a senior NIH physician. Online reports have linked this patient to former President Trump, who was also 79 at the time and has publicly discussed an interest in weight management solutions.
Three anonymous sources informed Stat News, a publication focused on the biotech and medical sectors, that the approval was highly unusual and the applicant was described as having significant connections. Retatrutide, a weekly injectable, is being studied by Eli Lilly for its potential in treating obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and other related health issues. The patient in question reportedly sought the drug to manage severe obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension.
The report garnered attention due to Trump’s age, his expressed interest in weight-loss drugs, and his reported care by multiple medical specialists. Some observers have also noted instances where Trump appeared fatigued during public appearances, leading to speculation about potential underlying conditions like sleep apnea. Trump underwent several medical evaluations, including an MRI at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in October 2025, though no official reason for the scan was publicly disclosed.
However, when questioned about Trump’s potential access to the experimental drug, White House Deputy Press Secretary Desai Kush stated that the application was not for the President.
Despite this denial, speculation has continued, partly due to Trump’s past experiences with accessing rare medical treatments. During his presidency, he received the experimental COVID-19 treatment Regeneron through the FDA’s compassionate use program after contracting the virus. Eli Lilly has indicated that compassionate use is typically for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions who have exhausted other treatment options and are ineligible for clinical trials. Reports also indicate that Trump has previously advocated for specialized medical treatments for associates with severe health issues.
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