Evelyn Hockstein/REUTERS
President Donald Trump’s persistent hand bruising has once again drawn attention during his recent trip to Scotland, but the White House insists the marks are nothing to worry about attributing them to “minor soft tissue irritation” from frequent handshakes and aspirin use.
Photographs taken during Trump’s meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday revealed his right hand concealed with heavy makeup, reigniting public curiosity about the condition. The bruise was clearly visible while Trump stood alongside von der Leyen to announce a new U.S.-Europe trade agreement.
When questioned, the White House pointed to a previously issued July 17 medical report diagnosing the 79-year-old president with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) a common and benign condition, particularly among older adults.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that “the president remains in excellent health,” brushing off concerns about the recurring bruises. She further explained that Trump’s condition is not unusual for someone of his age and activity level.
The marks first made headlines back in February when Trump appeared with French President Emmanuel Macron at the White House. The discoloration has since been noted on multiple occasions, including last week during Trump’s visit to the Federal Reserve headquarters.
Leavitt emphasized that the bruising was due, in part, to Trump’s physically demanding schedule. “He’s a man of the people, and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other president in history,” she told the Daily Beast.
To further quell speculation, the White House recently released a statement from the president’s physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella. In the report, Dr. Barbabella stated:
“Recent photos of the president have shown minor bruising on the back of his hand. This is 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.”
He concluded, “This is a well-known and benign side effect of aspirin therapy.” Despite the rumors swirling on social media, Trump appears unbothered. His team has made it clear that the hand bruising is not indicative of any serious health problem, and that the use of concealer is purely cosmetic.
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