New photos emerging on social media depicting discoloration and apparent bruising on President Donald Trump’s hands prompted questions about his physical health on Wednesday. The White House has previously attributed the issue to aspirin use and soft-tissue irritation from handshakes.
The renewed attention follows circulating images and a history of similar episodes documented, including a 2025 White House memo that said Trump also had chronic venous insufficiency and added that the bruising is consistent with frequent handshakes and aspirin use, which the administration and his physician described as common and benign.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email on Wednesday for comment.
Why It Matters
At 79, Trump became the oldest person inaugurated president, and visual signs like hand bruising and apparent leg swelling have drawn persistent public interest in the transparency of his medical information.
In his physical in April 2025, physician Navy Captain Sean Barbabella said in part that the president “remains in excellent health, exhibiting robust cardiac, pulmonary, neurological and general physical function.”
What To Know
Journalist Aaron Rupar on Wednesday shared an image of Trump’s hands on X while he attended a Mother’s Day celebration for military moms at the White House. His post said, “Yikes! Both of Trump’s hands are discolored today and one of them appears bruised as well (Anna Moneymaker/Getty).”
Rupar’s post had 1.3 million views as of 9:40 p.m. ET, along with 4,800 likes and 576 replies.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s Press Office also reacted on X to the president’s hands Wednesday, with a photo and an eyes/”look at this” emoji.
X account The Bulwark, with nearly 234,000 followers, said on X, “Why are both of Trump’s hands covered in makeup? This new bruising comes as Trump made an unscheduled visit to the ‘dentist’ last weekend, which fueled even more speculation and questions surrounding his health. @SarahAMatthews1 reacts.”
The Lincoln Project, with 2.8 million followers, also reacted to Trump’s hands, saying on X, “Every journalist should be asking what the hell is going on with this guy’s health that they aren’t telling us.”
The Republicans Against Trump account reacted to Rupar’s post and said, “The U.S. president is visibly deteriorating in front of everyone. Most Americans think he is mentally and physically unfit to serve, yet the mainstream media barely says a word. Why?”
White House Spokesman Davis Ingle said the president is “the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history,” The Daily Beast reports.
“The president 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. President Trump’s commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day,” Davis added, per the outlet.
