Trump reportedly refused a vegan charity challenge: 'If I lose even one brain cell, we're f---ed'
Looks like former President Donald Trump is a carnivore through and through — but not for exactly the reasons you might think.
According to ex-Trump Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham's new administration tell-all I'll Take Your Questions Now: My Time in the Trump White House, Trump once denied a challenge to go vegan for charity because he worried it would mess with his brain function.
The challenger, a young boy who appealed to the president in TV ads and highway billboards, represented a charity who would donate $1 million to veterans if Trump agreed to remove animal products from his diet. Grisham, who was communications director at the time, said she "playfully asked the president if he would ever consider doing that," according to an excerpt of the book obtained by Politico. "I knew he loved his steaks and cheeseburgers, but one month didn't seem that long," she wrote.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump apparently responded seriously and quickly: "No, no. It messes with your body chemistry, your brain," per Grisham. "And if I lose even one brain cell, we're f---ed."
You can say that again. Read more at Politico.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Embrace the Boricua spirit on a foodie tour of Puerto RicoThe Week Recommends From cultural food tours to organic farms, there is plenty to discover around the island
-
The longest US government shutdown in historyThe Explainer Federal employees and low-income households have been particularly affected by ‘partisan standoffs’ in Washington
-
Jeremy Hunt picks his favourite booksThe Week Recommends The former chancellor shares works by Mishal Husain, Keach Hagey, and Johan Norberg
-
The longest US government shutdown in historyThe Explainer Federal employees and low-income households have been particularly affected by ‘partisan standoffs’ in Washington
-
Democrats seek 2026 inspiration from special election routsIN THE SPOTLIGHT High-profile wins are helping a party demoralized by Trump’s reelection regain momentum
-
‘Not all news is bad’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
A most profitable presidencyfeature Donald Trump has added $3 billion to his wealth since returning to the White House. How?
-
Has Zohran Mamdani shown the Democrats how to win again?Today’s Big Question New York City mayoral election touted as victory for left-wing populists but moderate centrist wins elsewhere present more complex path for Democratic Party
-
Trump to partly fund SNAP as shutdown talks progressSpeed Read The administration has said it will cover about 50% of benefits
-
Trump’s White House ballroom: a threat to the republic?Talking Point Trump be far from the first US president to leave his mark on the Executive Mansion, but to critics his remodel is yet more overreach
-
‘Not every social scourge is an act of war’Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
