President Donald Trump was spotted again with a big bruise on his right hand—just days after claiming he got the “highest mark” on his physical exam. The bruise was hard to miss as he smiled and held a football while giving the Commander-in-Chief trophy to the Navy team. But what is really going on with Trump’s health?
This is not the first time people have seen the bruise. It was first noticed in October when Trump left the campaign trail briefly to speak at a formal dinner in Manhattan. At that time, people saw the same bruise on his right hand. Since then, it has repeatedly shown up in photos throughout the year, sometimes covered with makeup that doesn’t entirely hide it.
The White House gave a simple explanation. They said the bruise is from Trump shaking too many hands on the campaign trail. A spokesperson claimed that Trump greets hundreds of people, and repeated handshakes can leave a mark, especially at his age. While that might sound normal, many people, including doctors, are unconvinced.
Medical experts say the size and location of the bruise suggest that it may be more serious than just a handshake. Dr. Ola Otulana, a general physician in England, told MailOnline that the bruise looks like a “superficial contusion,” a simple injury on the skin’s surface. He said it could happen from bumping the hand, leaning on something hard, or from a medical procedure like a blood draw or IV drip.
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Dr. Otulana also explained that older adults like Trump, who is 78, bruise more easily. This happens because their skin is thinner, and their blood vessels are more fragile. He added that bruises can appear more easily and last longer if someone takes blood thinners, aspirin, or anti-inflammatory medicine.
That might be the case here, but some people still aren’t satisfied with the official explanation. On several occasions, Trump has been seen trying to cover the bruise with makeup. At one Fox News town hall event, the makeup looked very close to his normal skin tone. But in other appearances, the makeup looked too dark, making the bruise stand out even more.
One of the most noticeable times was when Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron. The bruise was dark and large, and the makeup did not match his skin, making it even more apparent. This led to more online talk, with some people guessing it might be from an IV or being dehydrated and needing fluids. Others guessed it could be from a vitamin deficiency or a minor fall.
Still, the White House tells the same story: Trump is in excellent health for his age, and no extra tests are needed. Trump himself repeated that his physical exam was perfect. He even said that one of the doctors told him, “Sir, I’ve never seen anybody get that kind of—that was the highest mark.”
However, the bruise continues appearing in new photos, and people start asking questions again each time it does. If Trump is in excellent health, why does the same bruise return? And if it’s nothing serious, why try to hide it?
Featured image via Screengrab
