Trump's Bruised Hand Is Ratcheting Up People's Concern For His Health

Several events in recent months have had people questioning whether President Donald Trump's health might be on the decline. In March 2025, it was reported that he was dragging his right leg (per Business Standard). More recently, at the FIFA Club World Cup final held on July 13, 2025, observers noticed that Trump appeared to have swollen ankles. Then, on July 15, the Daily Beast wrote that the President appeared to have bruising on the back of his right hand that had been covered up with a heavy application of concealer.

While no official explanation has been provided for many of Trump's symptoms, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did address the President's bruised hand, offering reassurance that the nation's leader is fine. She told the Daily Beast, "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." Reportedly, Leavitt also made similar comments following another incident back in February when Trump exhibited similar marks during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. 

However, some remain skeptical that's it's as simple as Trump pressing the flesh all day during his meet and greets.

A doctor who addressed the bruising in February didn't seem convinced by Leavitt's explanation. According to Dr. Neal H. Patel at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, it's unlikely that hand shaking would create such a bruise. "I see a lot of patients who are businessmen," he told the Daily Mail, "and I've never really seen them getting bruising from too much handshaking." He added that, in his opinion, the bruising could be the result of IV needle.

However, the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology notes that older adults (Trump turned 79 on June 14, 2025), are prone to what is known as "actinic purpura." This type of bruising, which is often found on the backs of the hands or the forearms, occurs when blood vessel walls have been weakened by long-term sun exposure. Blood thinning medications like aspirin, which Trump is known to include in his daily regimen for heart attack and stroke prevention, can make this condition worse (per Reuters). Another potential cause is steroid use. As of the president's most recent physical, he was using the corticosteroid drug mometasone to treat his rosacea. So, the explanation could be as simple as the fact that, as he has aged and started to used certain medications, the president's hands have become more prone to bruising.