Is Trump Hiding a Health Issue? His Hand Has People Wondering
President Trump during the Bastille Day military parade in Paris, July 14, 2017. Photo courtesy of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under CC BY 2.0.
Concerns and questions surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's health have been circulating the internet as photos of a mysterious bruise on Trump's hand provoked wild speculation. Is Trump sick? Is there an innocent explanation? And what does it mean?
What Is Happening With the Hand?
Speculation began when photos showed Trump's right hand with a pronounced bruise after a handshake with French President Emmanuel Macron on Feb. 24, 2025. The pictures also showed what appeared to be makeup covering noticeable discoloration, suggesting to some observers an attempt to hide it.
President Trump holds a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, Monday, February 24, 2025, in the Oval Office. Photo courtesy of The White House. Public domain.
In an official statement reported by NBC News, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "President Trump has bruises on his hand because he's constantly working and shaking hands all day, every day."
Similar concerns emerged during the 2024 Presidential campaign when photos revealed bruises on Trump's hand. Then as now, Trump's campaign attributed the bruises to frequent handshaking, with Time Magazine quoting Trump as saying, "It's from shaking hands with thousands of people," according to NBC News. To date, Trump has not released an updated medical report, despite reportedly stating that he would do so in a 2024 interview with NBC News "Meet the Press."
Speculation Runs Wild
The White House's official statement is plausible. However, it hasn't stopped the rumor mill from debating what the "real" cause of the bruise might be:
Other theories explaining the bruise, including necrotic flesh and blood thinners, are circulating on social media — and those are the more reasonable theories.
Cover-Up or Ordinary Aging?
The buzz around the hand bruise is undoubtedly fun for online detectives. Still, as is often the case with such conspiracies, there is a more straightforward explanation: Trump's just getting older.
At 78 years old, Trump is tied with former President Joe Biden as the oldest person ever sworn into the office of president. As we age, our skin thins, leaving the blood vessels in our hands and feet more vulnerable to damage and, therefore, bruising easier.
So, a firm handshake, say with a reasonably fit French leader almost half Trump's age, could cause a large bruise. And no one could say that the handshakes between the two men have been gentle, either recently or in the past ...
Yet Trump's age likely fuels such rumors; the chances of Trump suffering through a medical crisis increases with every year and, on the world stage, people are quick to look for signs of decline.
In the end, we probably don't have any reason to worry about Trump's health at the moment ... but that won't stop people from whispering.
References: Trump, 78, Shows Mysterious Large Bruise on Hand | White House says that a large bruise on Trump's hand is from 'shaking hands all day every day' | Is Donald Trump the oldest president sworn into office? A look at his historic feats | Easy bruising: Why does it happen? | Read the full transcript: President-elect Donald Trump interviewed by "Meet the Press" moderator Kristen Welker
