In 2017, while declaring the opioid crisis in the United States a public emergency, Trump gave an emotional speech about how his older brother, Fred Trump, had suffered from alcoholism and died in 1981 aged just 43. The former President was speaking to a room filled to the brim with former addicts, parents of overdose victims, as well as treatment specialists. Trump noted how addiction had destroyed his brother's life. "I had a brother, Fred," he said. "Great guy, best-looking guy. Best personality, much better than mine. But he had a problem, a problem with alcohol. And he would tell me, don't drink. He was substantially older and I listened to him and I respected him. He's also added, don't smoke."