During a routine briefing on Thursday, all eyes locked onto the bandages wrapped around President Donald Trump’s right hand, a sight that quickly set off a wave of speculation.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt tried to explain the coverings. She told reporters, “The president is literally constantly shaking hands,” comparing his schedule to the nonstop chaos of Grand Central Terminal.
No one, literally no one on the planet is dumb enough to believe this fucking shit. No one. https://t.co/FLaYzFTyED
— Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) December 11, 2025
The explanation did not sit well online. Social media users were quick to mock the reasoning.
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“Is he shaking hands with chainsaws? Why does he need bandages?” one user asked.
Is he shaking hands with chainsaws? Why does he need bandages?
— Dr. Domingo (@WillTupholme) December 11, 2025
Another commented, “An impressive non-literal use of literally AND constantly, back to back!”
An impressive non-literal use of literally AND constantly, back to back! https://t.co/h5pEZjlExW
— Alex Sherman (@sherman4949) December 11, 2025
Medical experts weighed in as well. Cardiologist and CNN analyst Jonathan Reiner questioned the explanation, asking if bruises appeared elsewhere and suggesting handshakes alone seemed unlikely to cause chronic bandaging.
I believe that the president shakes a lot of hands, but handshaking is not a credible explanation for the chronic bruise on his hand. Are there bruises in other locations? https://t.co/2ONiP6QkVn
— Jonathan Reiner (@JReinerMD) December 11, 2025
Journalists also pointed out the oddity of using handshakes as a catch-all explanation for visible injuries. “Imagine trying to sell ‘handshake injuries’ as a medical explanation for the leader of the free world. They aren’t even trying anymore,” one tweeted.
NO WAY:
Q: What’s going on with the bandages on Trump’s hand?
LEAVITT: We’ve already explained it. The president is just constantly shaking hands.
Imagine trying to sell “handshake injuries” as a medical explanation for the leader of the free world. They aren’t even trying… pic.twitter.com/OdUhYvrbq0
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) December 11, 2025
Other users poked fun at the situation, turning it into memes and sarcastic commentary.
Some claimed the bandages were evidence of overwork, while others joked about impossible scenarios that might require hand protection.
Leavitt: “He is meeting with more people than any of you even know about on a daily basis.”
The people he’s meeting with, apparently: https://t.co/r37BD5dVX6 pic.twitter.com/rlXrTMbtyj— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) December 11, 2025
So they’re really going with “he just shakes so many hands” huh https://t.co/VJiZlKLkLm
— Brendan Weathers (@BrendanWeathers) December 11, 2025
When the eventual diagnosis comes out, they won’t apologize for lying. Maybe they’ll say they needed to protect privacy, tho President health is necessary public info. Real excuse: we didn’t need to tell you ******s anything. https://t.co/dk4F83E24F
— Bill Carter (@wjcarter) December 11, 2025
The White House has yet to release any medical details beyond Leavitt’s remarks.
Featured image via X screengrab