A strange bruise on the back of Donald Trump’s right hand is back — and people are once again asking questions about his health.
The bruise was clearly visible on Tuesday as the 79-year-old president boarded Marine One for a trip to Pittsburgh. Cameras zoomed in, showing what looked like flesh-colored makeup covering the mark. Trump was speaking to reporters about Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time.
The White House brushed it off — again. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, “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. His commitment is unwavering and he proves that every single day.”
That’s the same explanation she gave last month.
Trump himself gave a similar excuse in December, telling Time, “It’s from shaking hands with thousands of people.”
But medical experts aren’t convinced.
Dr. Neal H. Patel, a physician at Providence St Joseph Hospital, told the Daily Mail, “I see a lot of patients who are businessmen, and I’ve never really seen them getting bruising from too much handshaking. I guess it’s possible, but that would really not be on my list of ideas of what causes it.”
Dr. Patel suggested it could be from an IV needle. Others have pointed to Trump’s age as a factor — possibly even osteoporosis.
This isn’t the first time the bruise has made headlines. It was noticed in February during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, and again in April when Trump held up a football at a Commander-in-Chief Trophy ceremony.
Despite the repeated appearances, the White House insists there’s nothing wrong. Trump’s April health report claimed he had “no major issues,” with “unimpaired” blood flow and “no swelling” in his joints or muscles. The only thing noted was “minor sun damage” on his skin — nothing more.
Right-wing columnist Miranda Devine offered a colorful spin last month, writing, “He will endure constant bruises on the back of his hands from well-wishers showing their gratitude with vigorous handshakes that he reciprocates warmly, even though he’s a renowned (maybe reformed) germaphobe.”
But with no clear medical explanation — and the bruise coming back again and again — the questions aren’t going away.
