Trump may be mystery patient in odd case of 79yo getting experimental obesity drug
The White House has rejected claims that President Donald Trump is the 79-year-old man granted access to Eli Lilly's retatrutide. The speculation followed a STAT News report on the drug's exclusive use. Fact checkers have labeled the claims as mostly false.
What changed
New reports identify STAT News as the source of the original investigation into the drug's use.
Live updates
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White House denies Donald Trump received experimental obesity drug
confidence 95%The White House has rejected claims that President Donald Trump is the 79-year-old man granted access to Eli Lilly's retatrutide. The speculation followed a STAT News report on the drug's exclusive use. Fact checkers have labeled the claims as mostly false.
What's confirmed:
- The White House denied claims that Donald Trump received exclusive access to the experimental obesity drug.
- Eli Lilly and the FDA granted a 79-year-old man access to retatrutide following an April request.
- STAT News published an investigation on June 23, 2026, regarding the drug.
Still unconfirmed:
- Donald Trump is the unnamed 79-year-old patient using the drug.
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White House Denies Trump is Mystery Patient Receiving Experimental Obesity Drug
confidence 90%Eli Lilly provided a single 79-year-old patient with access to the unapproved obesity drug retatrutide through a compassionate use program. Public speculation has linked the patient to Donald Trump. The White House has dismissed these claims as baseless speculation.
What's confirmed:
- Eli Lilly provided a 79-year-old patient with access to the experimental obesity drug retatrutide via a compassionate use program.
- The drug retatrutide has not been approved by the FDA.
- The White House denied that Donald Trump was the recipient of the drug.
Still unconfirmed:
- Donald Trump used his office to obtain the powerful new weight loss drug.
- Donald Trump is the mystery patient who received the drug.