Trump replied:

“No, I never have. I had a great brother who taught me a lesson.”

He was referring to Fred Trump Jr., who tragically died of a heart attack at age 42 in 1981. Fred struggled with alcohol and smoking, which left a lasting impression on Trump.

“He smoked and drank—a great guy, very handsome, had an incredible personality,” Trump said. “But he had a problem with alcohol. I tell people, ‘No drugs, no drinking, no cigarettes,’ and I tell my kids the same thing.”

Lessons Learned from Fred
Trump recalled admiring his brother despite his struggles:

“He had the look, the personality, and so much going for him. But he battled addiction, and I was amazed his body could withstand the damage. Unfortunately, it’s a very common story. His life was tough because of alcohol, and I learned a lot from him.”

He reflected that seeing Fred’s deterioration helped him envision the risks of substance use for himself.

Sobriety Shaped Early Choices
Trump has referenced Fred’s influence in other interviews over the years. In 2018, he told Fox News:

“I had a brother, Fred—great guy, best-looking, best personality—but he had a problem with alcohol. He would warn me, ‘Don’t drink, don’t drink.’ I learned from Fred’s tough experience.”

Fred’s struggles with alcohol helped shape Trump’s lifelong decision to abstain. His sobriety has remained consistent, even as he navigated high-profile careers in business and politics.

Cultural Depiction
Fred and Donald Trump’s dynamic was also depicted in the 2024 biopic The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan as the young Donald Trump building his real estate empire in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s.