Here's everything we know about President Trump's health condition as he was recently seen with a bruised right hand.
On Monday (August 25), President Donald Trump’s right hand appeared visibly bruised as he signed executive orders in the Oval Office, with the mark also noticeable later during his meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
The dark bruise stretched across most of the back of his hand. At points, the 79-year-old appeared to cover the mark by resting his left hand on top of it while speaking with reporters.
The appearance followed a weekend sighting of Trump with makeup covering the back of his right hand during a visit to the People’s House museum in Washington, where the application looked especially thick and unblended.
The US president was also photographed over the weekend with a smaller bruise on his left hand, adding to speculation after repeated instances of bruising on his right hand dating back to at least August of last year.
In an interview with Time Magazine last December, Trump spoke about the bruises, saying it was “from shaking hands with thousands of people".
His physician, Sean Barbabella, reiterated that explanation in July, claiming that the marks are “consistent with minor soft tissue irritation from frequent handshaking and the use of aspirin, which is taken as part of a standard cardiovascular prevention regimen," cited by BBC News, adding: “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy."
Some critics have suggested the injuries could come from IV treatments or frequent blood draws; however, the White House dismissed those claims last weekend.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “President Trump is a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day," per The Independent.
In a report by Forbes, Trump’s doctor has also revealed that he was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70”.
Barbabella said tests showed no evidence of a more serious condition like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or arterial disease.
The diagnosis came after photos of the president with swollen ankles raised questions during his second term. The doctor noted that “Trump observed mild swelling in his lower legs” and that the White House Medical Unit had “thoroughly evaluated” the issue out of caution.
The National Institutes of Health describes CVI as a “prevalent” disease affecting about 150,000 new patients annually. It is usually caused by faulty venous valves and, if untreated, can diminish quality of life or lead to venous ulcers.
Still, the White House has faced questions about transparency. While it disclosed the CVI diagnosis, Barbabella has not been made available to answer press questions, despite earlier indications that he might be.
When pressed last week, Leavitt said a briefing from the doctor was “certainly something we can look into” and insisted “there is nothing to hide.” She also said: “There have been no adjustments made to his lifestyle," per the Daily Beast.
This is not the first time speculation about Trump’s health has surfaced. Forbes reported that last January, he was pictured in Manhattan with red blotches on his right hand that resembled blisters. The blemishes disappeared by the time he appeared at a New Hampshire rally hours later.
Some observers have compared the marks to syphilis symptoms, though there was no evidence that Trump had the condition. Doctors suggested alternative explanations, including irritation from gripping a golf club or dry skin, or even that the image had been digitally altered.
For now, the White House maintains the bruising is minor and routine, but its recurring appearance continues to keep it in the public spotlight.