Trump Again Seen With Bruised Right Hand, Renewing Questions About Health Condition
President Donald Trump was once again observed with bruising on the back of his right hand during an Oval Office engagement on Monday, intensifying ongoing scrutiny over his health. The 79-year-old president has been seen with similar markings multiple times in recent months, prompting repeated questions about their cause.
The latest incident occurred during an executive order signing and later while meeting South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House. Photographs clearly showed the bruising covering much of the back of Trumpâs right hand.
Over the weekend, Trump was also photographed with a smaller bruise on his left hand. Days earlier, he had been seen with makeup covering the same area of his right hand while visiting the Peopleâs House museum in Washington.
According to NBC News, Trump has appeared with similar bruising on his right hand on several occasions since August of last year. Notable sightings included November and February, when French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House.
The White House has repeatedly attributed the condition to handshaking. Trump himself told Time magazine in December that the bruising resulted from “shaking hands with thousands of people.” In July, the White House released a letter from his physician, Sean Barbabella, who explained that the bruising was consistent with minor soft tissue irritation linked to frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin. The medication, Barbabella noted, is part of the presidentâs standard cardiovascular prevention regimen.
The same letter disclosed that Trump has chronic venous insufficiency, which Barbabella described as a common and benign condition in people over 70. Testing reportedly showed no evidence of deep vein thrombosis or arterial disease. Barbabella also confirmed Trump had experienced mild swelling in his lower legs, which was thoroughly evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.
Chronic venous insufficiency is widespread, with approximately 150,000 new cases diagnosed annually in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH notes the condition stems primarily from incompetent venous valves and, if untreated, can reduce quality of life, impair productivity, and, in severe cases, cause venous ulcers.
Trump has also faced public speculation over other visible health concerns. In January last year, he was photographed with red blotches on his right hand that resembled blisters. While some observers speculated about conditions such as syphilis, medical experts suggested the marks were likely due to more common causes such as rashes, irritation, or golf-related friction. The blemishes disappeared within hours.
Health discussions surrounding Trump remain heightened given his age. He became the oldest president inaugurated in U.S. history when sworn in at 78, surpassing President Joe Biden. While Bidenâs cognitive decline led to his withdrawal from the 2024 campaign, Trump has also drawn attention for rambling speeches and frequent verbal slips. Despite these concerns, Barbabellaâs April medical assessment concluded that Trump is in “excellent cognitive and physical health.”
The White House continues to emphasize the presidentâs overall good health, highlighting his active lifestyle and frequent golf games.
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